Spermatogenesis in animals as revealed by electron microscopy

Summary Testes of the Japanese crayfish, Cambaroides japonicus, were fixed in buffered (pH 7.4) 4% formaldehyde followed by buffered (pH 7.4) 1% osmium tetroxide, and thin sections of the epoxy Epon resin-embedded tissue were studied with the electron microscope. Spermatozoa from vasa deferentia and spermatids from the testis were examined in smear preparations and thick sections by an ordinary light microscope, employing the Feulgen nuclear technique, fast green or periodic acid-Schiff reagent. On the other hand, testes fixed with buffered (pH 7.4) 4% formaldehyde were incubated in Novikoff and Goldfischer's medium or in Mölbert and coworkers' mixture for demonstrating thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase) or alkaline phosphatase, and observed in the electron microscope.The microtubules 220 Å to 310 Å in diameter appearing in the nuclear process seem to represent some unit structure of chromosomes in this species. The microtubules are composed of the tubular subunits which are disposed twisted along the peripheral part of major axis of the microtubules. Such tubular subunits are approximately 20 Å thick in wall and 10 Å wide in lumen. The acrosome in a helmet-like shape has been found to have a hornlike process at its proximal part, though the function of such process remains unsettled in the present study. With incubation in disodiumphenylphosphate, no final product is deposited in any part of the premature spermatozoa. The convoluted membrane as well as the invagination of nuclear envelope are revealed to be specific sites for TPPase activity, and such finding suggests that TPPase may act as an intermediary in formation of nuclear processes of the crayfish sperm.This study was supported by Grant GM-8327-05 from the United States Public Health Service.Scientist from the Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Department of Biology, Kyung Pook National University, Taegu, Korea.     

A FIBER APPARATUS IN THE NUCLEUS OF THE YEAST CELL

The structure and mode of division of the nucleus of budding yeast cells have been studied by phase-contrast microscopy during life and by ordinary microscopy after Helly fixation. The components of the nucleus were differentially stained by the Feulgen procedure, with Giemsa solution after hydrolysis, and with iron alum haematoxylin. New information was obtained in cells fixed in Helly's by directly staining them with 0.005% acid fuchsin in 1% acetic acid in water. Electron micrographs have been made of sections of cells that were first fixed with 3% glutaraldehyde, then divested of their walls with snail juice, and postfixed with osmium tetroxide. Light and electron microscopy have given concordant information about the organization of the yeast nucleus. A peripheral segment of the nucleus is occupied by relatively dense matter (the "peripheral cluster" of Mundkur) which is Feulgen negative. The greater part of the nucleus is filled with fine-grained Feulgen-positive matter of low density in which chromosomes could not be identified. Chromosomes become visible in this region under the light microscope at meiosis. In the chromatin lies a short fiber with strong affinity for acid fuchsin. The nucleus divides by elongation and constriction, and during this process the fiber becomes long and thin. Electron microscopy has resolved it into a bundle of dark-edged 150 to 180 A filaments which extends between "centriolar plaques" that are attached to the nuclear envelope.     

Sperm head shaping in ratites: New insights,yet more questions

Head shaping in mammalian sperm is regulated by a number of factors including acrosome formation, nuclear condensation and the action of the microtubular manchette. A role has also been suggested for the attendant Sertoli cells and the perinuclear theca (PT). In comparison, relatively little information is available on this topic in birds and the presence of a PT per se has not been described in this vertebrate order. This study revealed that a similar combination of factors contributed to head shaping in the ostrich, emu and rhea, although the Sertoli cells seem to play a limited role in ratites. A fibro-granular structure analogous to the mammalian PT was identified, consisting of sub- and post-acrosomal components. The latter was characterized by stage-specific finger-like projections that appeared to emanate from the cytoplasmic face of the nuclear envelope. They were particularly obvious beneath the base of the acrosome, and closely aligned, but not connected to, the manchette microtubules. During the final stages of chromatin condensation and elongation of the sperm head the projections abruptly disappeared. They appear to play a role in stabilizing the shape of the sperm head during the caudal translocation of the spermatid cytoplasm.     

蟹类精子超微结构的比较研究

应用光镜和电镜,比较研究了三疣梭子蟹,中华绒螯蟹和长江华溪蟹的成熟精子。揭示３种蟹精子都是不能游动的无鞭毛精子,呈球形,前后略扁,精子前端出现一光滑的小圆面,圆面四周有内陷的沟环。沟环之后,精子表面凹凸不平,并伸出多数辐射臂。３种蟹精子均为高度特化的细胞,外被质膜,内含细胞核,顶体及退化的细胞质。     

日本沼虾精子发生的研究

对日本沼虾精子发生全过程的电镜观察表明：精原细胞核染色质分散,胞质内有线粒休、内质网的分布。初级精母细胞核染色质块状,不均匀地分布于核中,内质同多小泡多。次级精母细胞核染色质大多分布于核膜内侧,内质网聚集成团,精细胞分化形成精子的早期,胞核增大,核侧形成内质同多小泡的聚合体;中期的核内染色质浓缩,同时形成空囊状结构,     

Chromatin transitions in the fertilizing sperm nucleus of the sea urchin,strongylocentrotus purpuratus

Electron microscopic analysis of fertilization in the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, has been carried out in an effort to establish the sequence of events involving dispersion of the paternal chromatin. Subsequent to loss of the nuclear envelope the condensed sperm chromatin begins to disperse under the influence of egg cytoplasmic factors. However, this process does not proceed at a uniform rate as is observed in other species examined to date. Portions of the paternal genome rapidly transform into dispersed chromatin while other adjacent regions disperse at a reduced rate. This variation in the time sequence of dissociation of the paternally derived chromosomes results in a reticulum of electron lucent and electron dense chromatin within the developing male pronucleus. As the paternally derived chromatin is dispersing and migrating centrad, membranous vesicles of maternal origin become aligned along the peripheral aspect of the chromatin. Deposition of a continuous bilaminar nuclear envelope around the dispersing sperm chromatin results in the formation of the definitive male pronucleus. At the time the male pronucleus is formed the paternally derived chromosomes have not completely dispersed and are visualized as a reticulum of condensed and dispersed chromatin. These results indicate that not all the paternally derived chromatin is modified in the same manner during pronuclear development.     

Organization of the Acrosome and Helical Structures in Sperm of the Aplysiid, Aplysia kurodai (Gastropoda, Opisthobranchia)

Spermiogenesis in the aplysiid, Aplysia kurodai (Gastropoda, Opisthobranchia) was studied by transmission electron microscopy, with special attention to acrosome formation and the helical organization of the nucleus and the other sperm components. In the early spermatid, the periphery of the nucleus differentiates into three characteristics parts. The first part is that electron-dense deposits accumulate on the outer nuclear envelope. This part is destined to be the anterior side of the sperm because a tiny acrosome is organized on its mid-region at the succeeding stage of spermiogenesis. The second part, in which electron-dense material attaches closely to the inner side of the nuclear envelope, is the presumptive posterior side. A centriolar fossa is formed in this part and the axoneme of the flagellum extends from the fossa. A number of lamellar vesicles derived from mitochondria assemble around the axoneme and form the flagellum complex. The third part is recognized by the chromatin which condenses locally along the inner nuclear envelope. During development of the spermatid, this part extends to form a spiral nucleus accompanied by chromatin condensation and formation of microtubular lamellae outside the extending nucleus.
Finally, in the mature sperm, a tiny, spherical acrosomal vesicle is detected at the apex. The slender nucleus, overlapping both the primary and secondary helices which are composed of different structural elements, winds around the flagellum axoneme.     

THE FINE STRUCTURE OF PRONUCLEAR DEVELOPMENT AND FUSION IN THE SEA URCHIN, ARBACIA PUNCTULATA

Fertilization events following coalescence of the gamete plasma membranes and culminating in the formation of the zygote nucleus were investigated by light and electron microscopy in the sea urchin, Arbacia punctulata. Shortly after the spermatozoon passes through the fertilization cone, it rotates approximately 180° and comes to rest lateral to its point of entrance. Concomitantly, the nonperforated nuclear envelope of the sperm nucleus undergoes degeneration followed by dispersal of the sperm chromatin and development of the pronuclear envelope. During this reorganization of the sperm nucleus, the sperm aster is formed. The latter is composed of ooplasmic lamellar structures and fasciles of microtubules. The male pronucleus, sperm mitochondrion, and flagellum accompany the sperm aster during its migration. As the pronuclei encounter one another, the surface of the female pronucleus proximal to the advancing male pronucleus becomes highly convoluted. Subsequently, the formation of the zygote nucleus commences with the fusion of the outer and the inner membranes of the pronuclear envelopes, thereby producing a small internuclear bridge and one continuous, perforated zygote nuclear envelope.     

Failure of differentiation of the nuclear-perinuclear skeletal complex in the round-headed human spermatozoa

Acrosomeless round-headed spermatozoa from three men were studied under electron microscopy and indirect immunofluorescene microscopy using the anti-calicin antibody that recognizes a basic protein of the sperm perinuclear theca (Longo et al., 1987). Electron microscopy revealed the existence of anomalies of the nuclear envelope, the nuclear matrix underlying the nuclear envelope, and the perinuclear layer. The absence of sperm labeling with the anti-calicin antibody confirmed that the formation of the perinuclear theca was impaired. Data obtained from both mature spermatozoa and ejaculated spermatids suggest that i) round-headed sperm head anomalies result from a failure of differentiation of the sperm-specific skeletal complex related to the nucleus, and ii) the acrosome spreading over the nucleus, the nuclear elongation and the post-acrosomal sheath formation are dependent on such nuclear-perinuclear differentiations. In contrast, chromatin condensation, cytokinesis and some events of the acrosomal shaping appear not to depend on those nuclear-related differentiations. The possible processes allowing the maintenance of the sperm head structures and their subsequent morphogenesis are discussed.     

Spermiogenesis in the Marine Shrimp, Sicyonia ingentis

Spermiogenesis in the marine prawn Sicyonia ingentis was examined using transmission electron microscopy. The acrosomal vesicle, derived from the fusion of pro-acrosomal vesicles blebbed from the nuclear envelope, contains the membrane pouches, anterior granule and a spike. The anterior granule is formed from the coalescence of granular aggregates within the proacrosomal vesicles. Primordia underlying the apical acrosomal vesicle membrane polymerize to form a spike approximately 6 μm long. The convoluted pouch membranes arise from the posterior acrosomal vesicle membrane. Lateral and apical portions of the acrosomal vesicle are surrounded by a pentalaminar membrane comprised of the spermatid plasma membrane and the acrosomal vesicle membrane. Subacrosomal structures include the dense saucer plate, granular core and crystalline lattice. These components condense just posterior to the acrosomal vesicle and are separated from the chromatin by a nuclear plate.
The spermatid nucleus becomes surrounded by rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) and membranous lamellar bodies. RER gives rise to smooth endoplasmic reticulum. These membrane systems degenerate, forming a band of reticular elements around the lateral and posterior portions of the nucleus. The nucleus undergoes condensation followed by decondensation with concomitant breakdown of the nuclear envelope. The resultant chromatin is fibrillar in appearance.     

褶纹冠蚌精子发生的研究

光镜和透射电镜研究结果表明：褶纹冠蚌精子发生是非同步的,精子发生经历了一系列重要的形态和结构变化,主要包括：核逐步延长、染色质浓缩、线粒体逐渐发达与融合、胞质消除以及鞭毛的形成。精原细胞胞质中含有许多致密的轴纤丝,它们后来形成鞭毛轴丝。精母细胞质中含有线粒体、中心粒、内质网和电子透明的囊泡。精细胞分化为４个时期。成熟精子属原始类型,由头部、中段和尾部三部分组成。多核结构和细胞间桥自始至终存在于精子     

The Relation between the Axial Complex of Meiotic Prophase Chromosomes and Chromosome Pairing in a Salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

An investigation of the structure of meiotic chromosomes from primary spermatocytes of two salamanders, Plethodon cinereus and Desmognathus fusca, has been made using correlated light and electron microscopy. Feulgen squashes were compared with stained sections and these related to adjacent thin sections in the electron microscope. A transition from the familiar cytological preparation to the electron image was thus effected. A linear complex consisting of three parallel strands has been observed with the electron microscope, passing along the central axis of primary spermatocyte chromosomes. The complex is similar to that found in comparable chromosomes from at least a dozen animal species. The structure in Plethodon is described in detail. Synapsis has been positively identified as the stage of meiotic prophase at which the complex occurs. Thus the complex is a part of bivalent chromosomes. It has not been seen in other stages or other divisions and is thus thought to be exclusively of synaptic occurrence. The term synaptinemal complex is suggested for the entire structure. By virtue of the material condensed around it, the complex is also seen in the light microscope where it appears as a fine, densely Feulgen-positive central core along the chromosome. The complex is thus closely associated with DNA, if not at least in part, composed of it. In the stages studied, homologous chromosomes are not always completely paired. The lateral elements of the complex separate and follow the single chromosome axes at these points. The central element disappears and thus may be a phenomenon of pairing. It is concluded that the lateral elements of the synaptinemal complex may more correctly be a "core" of the single meiotic prophase chromosome, possibly being concerned with its linear organization.     

SPERMIOGENESIS IN CANCER CRABS

Spermiogenesis in Cancer crabs was studied by light and electron microscopy. The sperm are aflagellate, and when mature consist primarily of a spherical acrosome surrounded by the nucleus with its short radiating arms. The acrosome forms by a coalescence of periodic acid-Schiff-positive (PAS-positive) vesicles. During spermiogenesis one edge of the acrosomal vesicle invaginates to form a PAS-negative central core. The inner region of the acrosome bounding the core contains basic proteins which are not complexed to nucleic acid. The formation of an elaborate lattice-like complex of fused membranes, principally from membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum, is described. These membranes are later taken into the nucleus and subsequently degenerate. In late spermatids, when most of the cytoplasm is sloughed, the nuclear envelope and the cell membrane apparently fuse to become the limiting boundary over most of the sperm cell. In the mature sperm the chromatin of the nucleus and arms, which is Feulgen-positive, contains no detectable protein. The chromatin filaments appear clumped, branched, and anastomosed; morphologically, they resemble the DNA of bacterial nuclei. Mitochondria are absent or degenerate in mature sperm of Cancer crabs, but the centrioles persist in the nucleoplasm at the base of the acrosome.     

尼罗罗非鱼精子形成中核内囊泡的释放

通过透射电镜观察了尼罗罗非鱼的精子形成过程。尼罗罗非鱼精子细胞在成熟过程中,细胞核中出现由双层生物膜构成的囊泡。囊泡中均匀分布着电子密度低的物质。该囊泡逐渐从细胞核内排到细胞核外。在此过程中细胞核不但排出不参与染色质浓缩的物质,还将多余的核膜排出。进入袖套的囊泡可以留在精子的袖套中,而排到核前方和核侧面的囊泡继续以出芽的方式排出精子细胞。尼罗罗非鱼成熟精子的头部仅有染色质高度浓缩的细胞核。细胞核前     

Meiotic chromatin diminution in a vertebrate,the holocephalan fish Hydrolagus collie (Chondrichthyes,Holocephali)

A histochemical, microdensitometric, and electron microscopic study of testes of the ratfish Hydrolagus colliei shows that an instance of the rare phenomenon of germ line chromatin diminution occurs in this vertebrate species. In primary spermatocytes at metaphase I a spherical mass of heterochromatin accumulates at one side of the metaphase plate. At anaphase I the heterochromatic mass is left in the equatorial cytoplasm and is passed into one of the two secondary spermatocytes formed during cytokinesis. As nuclear membranes are being restored, a double membrane envelope is also formed around the heterochromatic mass, which is then termed the ‘chromatin diminution body’ (CDB). At second meiotic division the CDB is included in the cytoplasm of one of the four spermatids and retained there, apparently unchanged, until mid-spermiogenesis. At that time the CDB becomes adherent to the spermatid plasma membrane and is pinched off from the spermatid by a process of apocrine exocytosis, taking a layer of spermatid plasma membrane along with it. Simultaneously this tri-membrane CDB is taken into the adjacent Sertoli cell by endocytosis, thereby acquiring a fourth membrane layer, a part of the Sertoli cell plasma membrane. The CDBs are subsequently phagocytized, possibly first fusing with dense, multilaminate bodies in the Sertoli cell cytoplasm. The CDB chromatin mass is strongly positive with the Feulgen method for DNA and the alkaline fast green method for histones. Microdensitometric analysis shows that the discarded chromatin amounts to about 10% of the diploid nuclear content and that it appears to be part of the normal diploid complement rather than DNA amplified during meiosis.     

Nuclear reconstitution of demembranatedOrychophragmus violaceus sperm inXenopus laevis egg extracts

The cell-free extracts from animal Xenopus laevis egg could induce chromatin decon- densation and pronuclear formation from demembranated plant (Orychophragmus violaceus)sperm. The demembranated Orychophragmus violaceus sperm began to swell in 30 min incubation, and then were gradually decondensed. The reassembly of nuclear envelope in the reconstituted nuclei had been visualized by means of electron microscopy and fluorescent microscopy. Membrane vesicles fused to form the double envelope around the periphery of the decondensed chromatin. The morphology of the newly formed nucleus, with a double membrane, was similar to those nuclei after fertilization. Transmission electron microscope micrograph of the whole mount prepared nuclear matrix-lamina showed the reconstituted nucleus to be filled with a dense network.     

Nuclear reconstitution of demembranated Orychophragmus violaceus sperm in Xenopus laevis egg extracts

The cell-free extracts from animal Xenopus laevis egg could induce chromatin decon-densation and pronuclear formation from demembranated plant (Orychophragmus violaceus) sperm. The demembranated Orychophragmus violaceus sperm began to swell in 30 min incubation, and then were gradually decondensed. The reassembly of nuclear envelope in the reconstituted nuclei had been visualized by means of electron microscopy and fluorescent microscopy. Membrane vesicles fused to form the double envelope around the periphery of the decondensed chromatin. The morphology of the newly formed nucleus, with a double membrane, was similar to those nuclei after fertilization. Transmission electron microscope micrograph of the whole mount prepared nuclear matrix-lamina showed the reconstituted nucleus to be filled with a dense network.     

The ultrastructure of the rabbit oocyte at the bilaminar follicle stage]

The electron microscope study of the nucleus and organoids of the rabbit oocytes cytoplasm during growth showed nucleoluslike bodies (RNP-granules) on the lampbrushen chromosomes to reach their maximal size at the stage of bilaminar follicle. The RNP-granules differ from the nucleoli by the time of their occurrence cytochemical characteristics, and by their ultrastructural pattern. Throughout the bilaminar follicle stage four components may be seen in the oocyte nucleolus: a dense fibrillar framework around the vacuoles, islets of the granular mass loosely dispersed, and electron dense fibrillar elements filling up the numberous electrontransparant vacuoles. The nucleolus-like bodies are round in shape and have no vacuoles, consisting to two components only: distinctly outlined granules, and weakly developed fibrillar component. The nuclear envelope is seen blebbing. Separation of two nuclear membranes forms a pocket-like enlargements of the perinuclear space. The pockets are limited by small regions between the adjacent nuclear pores. The outer membrane may bulge producing lacuma and large channels in the cytoplasm, which are interconnected making a closed branched network extending inside of the cytoplasm. The nuclear envelope is suggested to be involved in formation of the endoplasmic reticulum through the blebbing process.     

The role of sertoli cells in spermatid maturation in the testis of the crayfish, Procambarus paeninsulanus

With the onset of spermiogenesis, many changes become apparent in the crayfish spermatid during its transition to mature sperm. The nucleus passes through a series of stages, excess cytoplasm is removed, the acrosome develops, and nuclear arms form and become wrapped around the sperm prior to its enclosure in a capsule. Changes are also apparent in the Sertoli cells surrounding the germ cells in the crayfish testis. The amount of cytoplasm of individual Sertoli cells appears to increase in quantity and changes in the intracellular organelles become apparent. As spermiogenesis commences, the cytoplasm along one side of Sertoli cells adjacent to the spermatids is devoid of obvious organelles. Numerous finger/like projections of Sertoli cytoplasm penetrate into the spermatid and appear to isolate portions of the sperm cytoplasm. During later stages of spermiogenesis, several vesicles in the Sertoli cells which appear to contain droplets of this isolated sperm cytoplasm. appear to undergo lytic changes, As the amount of cytoplasm of the spermatid is reduced, contact is maintained between the spermatid and Sertoli cell in the area of the acrosome. The nuclear arms of the sperm extend into the Sertoli cell during their formation and later become wrapped around the acrosomal area of the sperm. At this time, very little space exists between the Sertoli cell and its many sperm. Large vesicles of electron dense material appear to be released by the Sertoli cells into the space between the sperm and Sertoli cell. This material completely surrounds the sperm and forms the sperm capsule. Spermiation involves the gradual dissolution of the points of contact between the sperm capsule and the Sertoli cell.