The ultrastructure of spermatogenesis in Labidocera aestiva (copepoda: Calanoida)

The fine structure of spermatogenesis is described for the marine calanoid copepod Labidocera aestiva. The mature spermatozoon is a slightly flattened, disc-shaped cell without a flagellum or an acrosome. Primary spermatocytes in first meiotic prophase are characterized by large nuclei showing progressive condensation of chromatin. The cytoplasm contains free ribosomes, numerous mitochondria, cytoplasmic vesicles, centrioles, and perinuclear nuage. Densely staining cisternae are associated with the nuage of pachytene and diplotene primary spermatocytes. This association may represent the temporary differentiation of an acrosome. Synaptonemal polycomplexes are frequently present in the nuclei of zygotene, pachytene, and diplotene primary spermatocytes. Many of the intercellular bridges which join the germ cells throughout spermatogenesis appear occluded by systems of transverse membranous cisternae. After the second meiotic telophase, spermatids are incorporated into nongerminal accessory cells that may facilitate the release of spermatids from the testis and regulate the rate of spermatogenesis by phagocytosis. During spermiogenesis the mitochondria become closely applied to the nuclear envelope, the nuclear envelope fragments and forms an elaborate membrane complex, a pentalaminar plasma membrane develops, and electron-dense material accumulates on the inner and outer surfaces of the plasma membrane in the mature spermatozoon.