Spermatogenesis in the blue swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus, and evidence for histones in mature sperm nuclei |
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Authors: | Michael J Stewart Praphaporn Stewart Vichai Linthong Wei Duan |
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Institution: | a School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3217, Australia b Faculty of Science and Technology, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3217, Australia c Department of Preclinical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathumthani 12121, Thailand d Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand |
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Abstract: | Spermatogenesis in the blue swimming crab, Portunus pelagicus, is described by light and electron microscopy. The testis is composed of anterior (AT) and posterior (PT) lobes, that are partitioned into lobules by connective tissue trabecula, and further divided into zones (germinal, transformation and evacuation), each with various stages of cellular differentiation. The vas deferens is classified into three distinct regions: anterior (AVD), median (MVD), and posterior (PVD), on the presence of spermatophores and two secretions, termed substance I and II. Based on the degree and patterns of heterochromatin, spermatogenesis is classified into 13 stages: two spermatogonia (SgA and SgB), six primary spermatocytes (leptotene, zygotene, pachytene, diplotene, diakinesis, and metaphase), a secondary spermatocyte (SSc), three spermatids (St 1-3), and a mature spermatozoon. Spermatid stages are differentiated by chromatin decondensation and the formation of an acrosomal complex, which is unique to brachyurans. Mature spermatozoa are aflagellated, and have a nuclear projection and a spherical acrosome. AUT-PAGE and Western blots show that, during chromatin decondensation, there is a reduction of most histones, with only small amounts of H2B and H3 remaining in mature spermatozoa. |
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Keywords: | Portunus pelagicus Spermatogenesis Spermatozoa Ultrastructure Basic nuclear proteins |
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