Characterization of Seminiferous Epithelium Stages in the Wild Javan Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak muntjak) Using the Tubular Morphology Method.

Sri Wahyuni,Tuty Laswardi Yusuf,Hamny Hamny,Gholib Gholib,Muhammad Agil,Srihadi Agungpriyono,I Ketut Mudite Adnyane

doi:10.1155/2018/3024532

Abstract

Stages of the seminiferous epithelium of the testis of the wild Javan muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak muntjak) in hard antler period were characterized based on the tubular morphology method. The number and the relative frequencies of seminiferous epithelium stages and the morphometry of germinal cell nuclei were identified microscopically. We identified eight stages of seminiferous epithelium in testicular tissue of the Javan muntjac and found that the relative frequencies of stages I to VIII were 14.87, 15.12, 17.75, 6.87, 7.37, 12.37, 13, and 12.62%, respectively. The diameter of the nuclei of germinal cells varied in each stage of seminiferous epithelium. Diplotene-stage primary spermatocytes had prominent and large nuclei ~8.97 ± 1.0 μm in stages III and IV. Pachytene primary spermatocytes appeared in most stages, except stage IV, whereas leptotene- and diplotene-stage primary spermatocytes were found in stages I and II, and III and IV, respectively. Round spermatids were observed in stages IV to VIII and in stage I but were absent in stages II and III, while elongated spermatids were observed in all stages except stage I. Our findings show that the stages of seminiferous epithelium in the Javan muntjac are similar to those found in neotropical cervids, small ruminants, and other domestic animals.

Highlights

The Javan muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak muntjak, Zimmermann 1780) is a small cervid belonging to the Cervidae family found in the Indonesian islands of Java and southern Sumatera
Study on the reproductive biology, basic information associated with spermatogenesis in neotropical cervids, remains scarce [3], and it has not been reported in the Javan muntjac
The cycle of seminiferous epithelium in the Javan muntjac can be divided into eight stages according to the tubular morphology approach

Summary

Introduction

The Javan muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak muntjak, Zimmermann 1780) is a small cervid belonging to the Cervidae family found in the Indonesian islands of Java and southern Sumatera. Determination of seminiferous epithelium stages in male species is important to obtain quantitative information regarding spermatogenesis, and to understand the normal process of spermatogenesis For these purposes, there are two methods to characterize stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle: (1) based on tubular morphology and (2) based on development of the acrosomic system and nuclear morphology of developing spermatids. In addition to the tubular morphology method, characterization of the stages of the seminiferous epithelium cycle can be performed by an acrosomic system using the periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining. This method can better determine the size and position of spermatid acrosomes. Our specific objectives were (1) to identify the stages of seminiferous epithelium, (2) to determine the relative frequency of each stage, and (3) to calculate nuclei diameters of germinal cells during the hard antler period in Javan muntjac

Materials and Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion