Ultrastructure and Histochemistry of the Salivary and Digestive Glands of the Juvenile Abalone Haliotis discus hannai

The salivary and digestive glands of 45 day\|old abalone Haliotis discus hannai Ino were examined with a transmission electron microscopic and histochemical techniques. The salivary gland consisted of mucous cells and ciliated cells. The mucous cells contained well\|developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and a number of mucous pro\|granules, and secreted neutral and acid mucopolysaccharide. The digestive gland consisted of digestive cells and basophilic cells. The digestive cells showed active endocytosis and intracellular digestion, and also proteinase and non\|specific esterase activity. There were well\|developed rough endoplasmic reticula and many rafractile spherules containing iron in the basophilic cells. The spherules had low electron density.