Open AccessA scanning electron microscopic study of impala (<i>Aepyceros melampus</i>) sperm from the Kruger National Park
Author(s) -
Diane Ackerman,
A. J. Reinecke,
Hein Els
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
koedoe
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.419
H-Index - 29
eISSN - 2071-0771
pISSN - 0075-6458
DOI - 10.4102/koedoe.v39i2.297
Subject(s) - sperm , national park , biology , ultrastructure , semen , andrology , epididymis , reproduction , anatomy , zoology , ecology , botany , medicine
Since knowledge of sperm morphological characteristics can play an important role in semen evaluation and fertilisation, baseline data on sperm ultrastructure are required. Live spermatozoa were collected from the cauda epididymis from 64 impala rams in the Kruger National Park and 5082 spermatozoa from 40 of these impala were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The mean length of impala sperm was 59.23 @ 2.7 um. The morphology of normal sperm as well as the occurrence of abnormalities were documented. The morphology of impala sperm were compared with those of other mammals. New findings on appendages of the cytoplasmic droplet are described and interpreted