Comparative aspects of mammalian spermiogenesis

The testes of some different orders of eutherian mammals were examined by conventional electron microscopy with respect to their pattern of spermiogenesis. In addition, some of the testes were studied by cytochemical methods for demonstration of certain nuclear proteins and of glycoproteins in the a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inScanning electron microscopy no. Pt 2; p. 639
Main Authors Plöen, L, Courtens, J L
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 1986
Subjects
Animals
Artiodactyla
Carnivora
Glycoproteins - analysis
Humans
Lagomorpha
Lysine - analysis
Male
Microscopy, Electron
Perissodactyla
Primates
Protamines - analysis
Rodentia
Species Specificity
Spermatogenesis
Spermatozoa - physiology
Spermatozoa - ultrastructure
Testis - physiology
Testis - ultrastructure
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Summary:The testes of some different orders of eutherian mammals were examined by conventional electron microscopy with respect to their pattern of spermiogenesis. In addition, some of the testes were studied by cytochemical methods for demonstration of certain nuclear proteins and of glycoproteins in the acrosome and the plasma membrane of spermatids. It was found that although the basic pattern of spermiogenesis was similar in all species studied, there were pronounced dissimilarities in the final shape of the spermatids. Differences were also observed in the timing of the differentiation of several organelles. The head of late spermatids and spermatozoa of Primates, Carnivora and Perissodactyla was cone-shaped, whereas in Artiodactyla and Lagomorpha it was flattened or paddle-shaped, and in Rodentia hook-shaped. The size and shape of the acrosome varied considerably between the orders, as did the length of the middle piece.
ISSN:0586-5581