Observations on the structure and the nature of ‘NR bodies’ found in the testes of bed-bug

Abstract

1. NR bodies show special affinity for neutral red. They are rounded or irregular in outline, measuring 0·25–12·5µ in diameter.2. In fixed preparations NR bodies appear as spherical and vacuolated structures.3. RNA is present in abundance in mature NR bodies, but while DNA is present in variable amount, the Feulgen technique shows that in their very young stage NR bodies are rich in DNA.4. Glycogen is absent from the NR bodies, but Hale's technique provides evidence that the hyaluronic acid type of polysaccharide is present in them.5. By Gomori's modified technique the presence of alkaline phosphatase in the NR body was demonstrated.6. The mature NR bodies multiply by a process of budding. Small buds or spherules rich in DNA infect fresh spermatogonial cells, the latter being converted into the ‘pathological cells’ of Hertig.