An ultra-structural study is realised on the digestive gland of the lobster Homarus gammarus. This work shows the presence of five cellular types, four of them being involved in the digestive processes. One type (E-cell) has embryonic characteristics and differentiate, along digestive cycle, into F-cells or R-cells. F-cells appear to play a role in secretory processes, whilst R-cells are responsible for resorption and long-term retention of nutrients. Only one type (B-cell) is involved in nutrient incorporation and digestion. The fith cellular type are in fact blood cells, which penetrate into hepato-pancreatic tissue and act as the vertebrate macrophage cells.
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