Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Spermatogenesis in anthozoa: Differentiation of the spermatid

  • Published:
Cell and Tissue Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The fine structure of spermatids has been examined in Calliactis, Protanthea, Gonactinia and Parazoanthus (Cnidaria, Anthozoa). The sperm cells are relatively simple and lack distinct acrosomes. Their nuclei, spherical in the zoanthid, in the actinians are slendertipped cones. Condensation of the chromatin is interpreted in terms of progressive coiling of densely-stained filaments and the elimination of nucleoplasm. Nuclear elongation occurs in the absence of microtubules. A well-developed centriolar complex is attached to the nuclear envelope by fibres and in this area (that of a shallow fossa in actinian sperm) the nuclear membranes seem to be thickened. The centrioles are surrounded by a mitochondrial collar, especially pronounced in Calliactis. In contact with the mitochondria and nucleus is a ring of lipid-containing vesicles 300–700 nm in diameter. A system of densely-staining vesicles 150–300 nm in size corresponds to the “pro-acrosomal vesicles” described for other coelenterates. They are scattered in the peripheral cytoplasm and are regarded as derivatives of the endoplasmic reticulum. Problems of organelle function and of differentiation during spermiogenesis are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Afzelius, B. A.: Fine structure of the spermatozoon of Tubularia larynx (Hydrozoa, Coelenterata). J. Ultrastruct. Res. 37, 679–689 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Afzelius, B. A., Franzén, A.: The spermatozoon of the jellyfish Nausithoë. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 37, 186–199 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Atwood, D.: Fine structure of the spermatozoon of the sea cucumber Leptosynapta clarki (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea). Cell Tiss. Res. 149, 223–233 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Austin, C. R., Short, R. V., eds: Reproduction in mammals. 1. Germ cells and fertilization. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Burnett, A. L., Davie, L. E., Ruffing, F. E.: A histological study of germinal differentiation of interstitial cells arising from gland cells in Hydra viridis. J. Morph. 120, 1–8 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlgren, O.: A survey of the Ptychodactiaria, Corallimorpharia and Actiniaria. K. svenska Vetensk.-Akad. Handl. Stockh. 1, 1–121 (1949)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clark, W. H., Dewel, W. C.: The structure of the gonads, gametogenesis, and sperm-egg interactions in the Anthozoa. Amer. Zool. 14, 495–510 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cutress, C. E., Pequegnat, W. E.: Three new species of Zoantharia from California. Pacific. Sci. 14, 89–100 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dan, J. C.: Morphogenetic aspects of acrosome formation and reaction. Adv. Morphogen. 8, 1–39 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Defretin, R., Wissocq, J. C.: Le spermatozoïde de Nereis irrorata Malmgren (Annélide Polychéte). J. Ultrastruct. Res. 47, 196–213 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewel, W. C., Clark, W. H.: The fine structure of the spermatozoon of Bunodosoma sp. (Cnidaria). Biol. Reprod. 5, 86 (Abstract) (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewel, W. C., Clark, W. H.: An ultrastructural investigation of spermiogenesis and the mature sperm in the Anthozoan, Bunodosoma cavernata (Cnidaria). J. Ultrastruct. Res. 40, 417–431 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dewel, W. C., Clark, W. H.: A fine structural investigation of surface specializations and the cortical reaction in eggs of the cnidarian Bunodosoma cavernata. J. Cell Biol. 60, 78–91 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Fawcett, D. W., Anderson, W. H., Phillips, D. M.: Morphogenetic factors influencing the shape of the sperm head. Develop. Biol. 26, 220–251 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Franc, J.-M.: Etude ultrastructurale de la spermatogenèse du Cténaire Beröe ovata. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 42, 255–267 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Franklin, L. F.: Fertilization and the role of the acrosomal region in non-mammals. Biol. Reprod., Suppl. 2, 159–176 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Franzén, A.: On spermiogenesis, morphology of the spermatozoon, and the biology of fertilization among invertebrates. Zool. Bidr. Upps. 31, 355–482 (1956)

    Google Scholar 

  • Franzén, A.: Phylogenetic aspects of the morphology of spermatozoa and spermiogenesis. In: Comparative spermatology, p. 29–46 (B. Baccetti, ed.). New York: Academic Press 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Gharagozlou-van Ginneken, I. D., Poche-Masson, J.: Etude comparative infrastructurale du spermatozoïde chez les poulardes de France. Arch. Zool. exp. gén. 112, 805–817 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Grimstone, A. V., Skaer, R. J.: A guide book to microscopical methods. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1972

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanisch, J.: Die Blastostyl- und Spermienentwicklung von Eudendrium racemosum Cavolini. Zool. Jb. Anat. 87, 1–62 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hinsch, G. W.: Comparative ultrastructure of cnidarian sperm. Amer. Zool. 14, 457–465 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hinsch, G. W., Clark, W. H.: Comparative studies of coelenterate sperms. J. Cell Biol. 47, 88a (Abstract) (1970)

  • Hinsch, G. W., Clark, W. H.: Comparative fine structure of Cnidaria spermatozoa. Biol. Reprod. 8, 62–73 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaye, J. S.: The ultrastructure of chromatin in nuclei of interphase cells and in spermatids. In: Handbook of molecular cytology, p. 361–380 (A. Lima-de-Faria, ed.). Amsterdam: North Holland 1969

    Google Scholar 

  • Kessel, R. G.: Electron microscopic studies in developing oocytes of a coelenterate medusa with special reference to vitellogenesis. J. Morph. 126, 211–248 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Longo, F. J., Anderson, E.: Sperm differentiation in the sea urchins Arbacia punctulata and Strogylocentrotus purpuratus. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 27, 486–509 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lunger, P. D.: Early stages of spermatozoan development in the colonial Hydroid Campanularia flexulosa. Z. Zellforsch. 116, 37–51 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Marine Biological Association: Plymouth Fauna (3rd ed) 1957

  • Maxwell, W. L.: Spermiogenesis of Eledone cirrhosa Lamarck (Cephalopoda, Octopoda). Proc. roy. Soc. B 186, 181–190 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Miller, R.: The role of the gonomedusa and gonangium in the sexual reproduction (fertilization) of the Hydrozoa. Publ. Seto mar. Biol. Lab. 20, 367–400 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Millonig, G.: Advantages of a phosphate buffer for OsO4 solutions in fixation. J. appl. Phys. 32, 1637 (Abstract) (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, G.P.M., Dixon, K. E.: A light and electron microscopical study of spermatogenesis in Hydra cauliculata. J. Morph. 137, 483–502 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nyholm, K. G.: On the development of the primitive actinian Protanthea simplex Carlgren. Zool. Bidr. Upps. 33, 69–77 (1959)

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Rand, M. G., Miller, R. L.: Spermatozoan vesicle loss during penetration of the female gonangium in the hydroid Campanularia flexuosa. J. exp. Zool. 188, 179–194 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D. M.: Insect sperm. Their structure and morphogensis. J. Cell Biol. 44, 243–277 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Rees, H., Jones, R. N.: The origin of the wide species variation in nuclear DNA content. Int. Rev. Cytol. 32, 53–92 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schincariol, A. L., Habowsky, J. E. J., Winner, G.: Cytology and ultrastructure of differentiating interstitial cells in spermatogenesis in Hydra fusca. Canad. J. Zool. 45, 590–593 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Stagni, A., Lucchi, M. L.: Ultrastructural observations on the spermatogenesis in Hydra attenuata. In: Comparative spermatology, p. 357–363 (B. Baccetti, ed.). New York: Academic Press 1970

    Google Scholar 

  • Stearns, L. W.: Sea urchin development: cellular and molecular aspects. Stroudsburg Pennsylvania: Dowden, Hutchinson and Ross 1974

    Google Scholar 

  • Stephenson, T. A.: British sea anemones, vol. II. London: Ray Society 1935

    Google Scholar 

  • Stubblefield, E.: The structure of mammalian chromosomes. Int. Rev. Cyt. 35, 1–60 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Summers, R. G.: The fine structure of the spermatozoon of Pennaria tiarella (Coelenterata). J. Morph. 131, 117–130 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

  • Summers, R. G.: An ultrastructural study of the spermatozoon of Eudendrium ramosum. Z. Zellforsch. 132, 147–166 (1972a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Summers, R. G.: A new model for the structure of the centriolar satellite complex in spermatozoa. J. Morph. 137, 229–241 (1972b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Summers, R. G., Hylander, B. L.: An ultrastructural analysis of early fertilization in the sand dollar, Echinarachnius parma. Cell Tiss. Res. 150, 343–368 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Szollosi, D.: The structure and function of centrioles and their satellites in the jellyfish Phialidium gregarium. J. Cell Biol. 21, 465–479 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wasserthal, W.: Zur Ei- und Embryonalentwicklung des Hydroidpolypen Eudendrium armatum. Eine licht- und elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchung. Helgoländer wiss. Meeresunters. 25, 93–125 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  • Weissman, A., Lentz, T. L., Barrnett, R. J.: Fine structural observations on nuclear maturation during spermiogenesis in Hydra littoralis. J. Morph. 128, 229–240 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • White, M. J. D.: Animal cytology and evolution, 3rd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Wischnitzer, S.: The submicroscopic morphology of the interphase nucleus. Int. Rev. Cytol. 34, 1–48 1973

    Google Scholar 

  • Zihler, J.: Zur Gametogenese und Befruchtungsbiologie von Hydra. Roux' Arch. 169, 239–277 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Science, California State University, Hayward

    E. B. Lyke &  E. A. Robson

  2. Department of Zoology, University of Reading, England

    E. B. Lyke &  E. A. Robson

Authors
  1. E. B. Lyke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. E. A. Robson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Author supported in part by a grant from the American Philosophical Society. We wish to thank the Director and staff of Santa Catalina Marine Biological Laboratories for facilities in 1971, and our colleagues at the Zoological Station, Kristineberg, for their hospitality in 1973. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the help given by Mr. K. G. A. Jenkins in the preparation of electron micrographs.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Lyke, E.B., Robson, E.A. Spermatogenesis in anthozoa: Differentiation of the spermatid. Cell Tissue Res. 157, 185–205 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00222065

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00222065

Key words

Search

Navigation