I scanned in this electron micrograph of an alveolar type II cell because there were some areas of dilated RER which I had hoped might have some patterning (layering) indicating it might be an organized surfactant protein (A) perhaps, as seen in other species. But my conclusion was that there was too little detectable substructure in those areas to indicate that it might be an RER surfactant protein granule. Cat #3, 7268_24564 control group.
Three possible RER profiles that might fit surfactant protein synthesis granules that have been found in other species. Publications and images found so far have not shown rabbit to have RER profiles which contain a lamellated type organization as has been seen for ferret, guinea pig and dog. It is questionable, but maybe likely, that if i had 400+ micrographs of rabbit like I do for guinea pig for dozens of separate animals, that something would show up in one or two of them. But these not-so-great electron micrographs of rabbit alveolar type II cells (from three different experimental protocols: including post artificial blood infusion) might make the suggestion that more research would be needed, unlike what I have seen in mouse, where there doesn’t seem to even be an inkling of such structures.
In a study by the late Dr. David Warshawsky, I took this electron micrograph of rabbit lung after exposure to Fe2O3 (you can see the iron deposits within this cell, as they ruined the sectioning knife (not so LOL). I really don’t know what cell type this is but wanted to post the micrograph in case it was of value to anyone. I think it is probably an alveolar macrophage, but found the highly convoluted plasmalemmas found as clusters in several splaces around the periphery of this cell. I figured it was significant, but didn’t what it represented. Treatment would be the first big clue. 4447_17793_rabbit_DBC and Fe2O3 .
Walking the 1/2 mile I now need to tread to get into the building where I work as emerita just gave me pause to laugh out loud and point a finger at a backhoe-loader driver, (not a huge one, but medium size) when it was used to pick up a 5 lb orange construction cone and move it 5 feet to the left. OMG. I caught the attention of the driver and pointed to the bucket, and then at the tiny orange cone (which i could have lifted with little effort) and just laughed. He shook his head. hahaha…