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Ultrastructure of the spermatozoa of five species of South African bivalves (Mollusca), and an examination of early spermatogenesis
Author(s) -
Reunov A. A.,
Hodgson A. N.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of morphology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1097-4687
pISSN - 0362-2525
DOI - 10.1002/jmor.1052190307
Subject(s) - spermiogenesis , biology , spermatid , ultrastructure , acrosome , golgi apparatus , vesicle , sperm , spermatogenesis , spermatozoon , zoology , flagellum , anatomy , microbiology and biotechnology , botany , biochemistry , endoplasmic reticulum , membrane , endocrinology , gene
Transmission electron microscopy of the spermatozoa of five species from three families of bivalves has shown that each species has a sperm with unique morphology. However, the morphology of the acrosomes of each species is typical of the subclass of bivalve to which they belong. An examination of spermatogenesis in the five species, along with a re‐examination of material from six other species of bivalves, has revealed that pre‐spermiogenic cells possess flagella. In addition, acrosome formation begins in the spermatocytes with the formation of proacrosomal vesicles in the Golgi body. During spermiogenesis the proacrosomal vesicles coalesce at the presumptive posterior of the spermatid, with a larger vesicle produced by the Golgi body. The single acrosomal vesicle eventually migrates to the anterior of the spermatid where it assumes its mature form. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.