Ultrastructural immunogold localization of major sperm protein (MSP) in spermatogenic cells of the nematode Acrobeles complexus (Nematoda,Rhabditida)

The nematode spermatozoa represent a highly modified (aberrant) type of male gametes that lack a flagellum but for which the process of spermatogenesis culminates in the production of a crawling spermatozoon on the basis of the cytoskeletal component known as “major sperm protein”, or MSP. MSP is also known as an important hormone triggering oocyte maturation and ovulation in the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, where this protein was first identified. However, direct evidence of MSP localization and of its fate in nematode spermatogenic cells is rare. In this study, the spermatogenesis and sperm structure in the rhabditid nematode Acrobeles complexus (Rhabditida: Tylenchina: Cephalobomorpha: Cephaloboidea: Cephalobidae) has been examined with electron microscopy. Morphological observations were followed by high-pressure freezing and freeze-substitution fixation which allows post-embedding immunogold localization of MSP in all stages of sperm development using antibodies raised for MSP of C. elegans. In spermatocytes, synthetic activity results in the development of specific cellular components, fibrous bodies (FB) and membranous organelles (MO), which appear as FB-MO complexes where the filamentous matter of FB has been MSP-labeled. The spermatids subdivide into a residual body with superfluous cytoplasm, and a main cell body which contains nucleus, mitochondria and FB-MO complexes. These complexes dissociate into individual components, MO and FB, with the MSP being localized in FB. Immature spermatozoa from testes are opaque cells where a centrally located nucleus is surrounded by mitochondria, MO and FB clustered together, the MSP still being localized only in FB. Cytoplasm of mature spermatozoa from spermatheca is segregated into external pseudopods lacking organelles and a central cluster of mitochondria with intact MO surrounding the central nucleus. The FB ultimately disappear, and the MSP labeling becomes concentrated in the filamentous content of pseudopods and cytoplasm of the main cell body. Although the spermatogenesis and sperm structure of A. complexus is similar to that of many other rhabditid nematodes, their intact MO makes the morphology of the mature spermatozoa distinct from the “rhabditid pattern” and may be considered as a synapomorphy. The MSP localization in spermatogenic cells of A. complexus also follows the “rhabditid pattern” described in C. elegans and Ascaris spp. Our results and techniques of MSP labeling of A. complexus spermatogeneous cells reveal new possibilities to elucidate different research questions on MSP localization in nematodes related to C. elegans. Furthermore, the laboratory-cultured A. complexus strains can be used as a new and fascinating model to study MO and MSP functions in nematode reproduction.     

An ultrastructural study of testes permeability in sea urchins,Strongylocentrotus intermedius

Permeability of testes in sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus intermedius, was investigated by using an electron-opaque tracer, lanthanum nitrate. This tracer is able to enter the basal compartment of germinative epithelium, where developing germ cells are located. However, its ability to penetrate the gonadal lumen was reduced. An incomplete permeability barrier between the basal compartment and the gonadal lumen is supposed to exist in testes of S. intermedius.     

沙蚕科的性成熟及精卵发生

就沙蚕性成熟的调控机制、性信息素以及卵子发生、精子发生等方面进行了综述.关于性成熟的调控机制,分别从激素和M期的促进因子（MPF）来讨论沙蚕的性成熟的调控机制,目前认为激素对沙蚕性成熟具有重要影响,而且发育早期影响比较明显,而MPF则通过调控减数分裂来影响性成熟.沙蚕性信息素具有性别辨认和群浮同步性的作用,文中讨论了性信息素的主要成份以及功能.对于精卵的研究,分别就卵子发生、精子发生以及油细胞在卵子发生和精子发生中的作用来探讨沙蚕中的研究概况,通过已有的资料,综述精卵发生细胞学及显微结构.