A histochemical study of Reinke crystalloids was undertaken for the purpose of obtaining additional information relative to their properties, composition, and form. The infrequently recounted data collected by Reinke on the properties of these structures were reviewed and confirmed. Other results of this study suggest that the crystalloids are not simple or conjugated mucins, saccharides, or lipids nor do they represent viruses, nucleoproteins, other protein conjugates or amyloid. Rather, they appear to be composed of simple globular proteins arranged in a pattern previously interpreted from studies by electron microscopy to represent a true crystalline lattice. The basis for their genesis, restricted distribution, and function (if any) remains wholly unknown.
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