Effect of vitamin A [retinoic acid] on the fine structure of ascites sublimes of the 13762 rat mammary adenocarcinoma

ABSTRACT

Cytological differences have been observed in ascites sublines of the 13762 rat mammary adenocarcinoma after treatment with retinoic acid. Before treatment, both MAT-B[1] and MAT-C[1] cells have large irregularlyshaped nuclei, with one or two nucleoli. The cytoplasm contains well developed Golgi complex [Gs and GV] and much endoplasmic reticulum [RER]. Some MAT-B[1] and MAT-C[1] cells contain a small number of [orthodox] configuration mitochondria while others reveal a large number of [condensed] configuration mitochondria. MAT-B[1] and MAT-C[1] after being subjected to vitamin A acid showed that the secretory apparatus [i.e. Golgi complex] has regressed and the endoplasmic reticulum also diminished. In cells containing either [orthodox] or [condensed] configuration, mitochondria revealed vacuolization. In addition, there is an obvious decrease in the number of [condensed] configuration mitochondria due to fusion and necrosis, and an increase in the number of [orthodox] configuration mitochondria due to fragmentation