ISSN:
0002-9106
Keywords:
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was stained selectively by a sequence of uranyl acetate, lead and copper citrate, according to the method of Thiéry and Rambourg ('76), and then investigated in 0.5 to 2.0-μm-thick sections with the transmission electron microscope. Examination of photographic stereopairs allowed a three-dimensional visualization of the ER at various steps of spermiogenesis.During the Golgi and cap phases of spermiogenesis (steps 1-7, classification of Leblond and Clermont, '52a), the ER is distributed throughout the cytoplasm as a three-dimensional network of spherical and tubular cisternae connected by narrow tubules. In addition, a close network of tubular cisternae is located along the convex surface of the Golgi apparatus and lines the plasma membrane. Where the cell membrane joins that of another spermatid to form an intercellular bridge, this network extends across the bridge.During the acrosome phase (steps 8-14), the cytoplasm contains an abundant ER that shows the following modifications: (A) Along the inside and outside of the caudal tube the cisternae form long tubes or plates which run adjacent and parallel to the microtubules. These cisternae are connected by delicate lateral anastomoses; (B) Along the flagellum the ER forms a “fenestrated sleeve” made up of a close network of tubular cisternae; (C) Similar networks are organized as “fenestrated spherules” enclosing large vesicles seen throughout the cytoplasm; (D) At a short distance from the flagellum, the ER cisternae are continuous with a stack of annulate lamellae and an aggregate of radially arranged collapsed cisternae called the “radial body”.During the last or maturation phase (steps 15-19), the ER regresses. Thus, during the final steps in the formation of the flagellum, the ER network fragments and then most of the cisternae disappear from the cytoplasm. The “radial body” is the last element of the ER to be dissolved. Thus the ER undergoes extensive structural modifications during spermiogenesis, suggesting an active contribution of this organelle to the differentiation of the spermatid into a spermatozoon.
Additional Material:
16 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/aja.1001510204
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