Histological and Ultrastructural Analysis of Spermatogenesis in Gelastocoris flavus flavus (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha)

Alevi KCC Pereira LLV,Moreira FFF Barbosa JF

doi:10.4172/2161-0983.1000157

Alevi KCC Pereira LLV, Moreira FFF Barbosa JF

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-0983.1000157

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Abstract

Studies on the ultrastructural aspects of spermatogenesis and, specifically, the structure of sperm in aquatic Heteroptera are scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyse of the histology and ultrastructure of spermatogenesis. Semi-fine sections of the testicles of adult male Gelastocoris flavus flavus were stained with toluidine blue or impregnated with silver ions, and ultra-fine sections were analysed by transmission electron microscopy. The ultrastructural features observed during spermatogenesis of the species showed the presence of several small mitochondria uniformly distributed in the cytoplasm of cells in prophase I. These mitochondria then came together to form fewer, larger structures, which converged and formed the mitochondrial complex. Later, this mitochondrial complex was divided into two structures, termed mitochondrial derivatives, which were arranged bilaterally to the axoneme. The axoneme showed a flagellar pattern of 9+9+2. A vesicle was observed that originated in the early stages of spermiogenesis and was composed of many argyrophilic granules that united to form a single structure. This vesicle contained some highly stained structures in its interior. Thus, this paper describes histological and ultrastructural characteristics during spermatogenesis, contributing to the reproductive knowledge of these aquatic Heteroptera

Highlights

In both vertebrates and invertebrates, studies addressing the ultrastructural aspects of spermatogenesis and, the structure of the sperm comprise a vast and growing body of literature
During the elongation of spermatids, the MC was divided in two sections, forming the Mitochondrial Derivatives (MDs), which were initially very close to each other and bilaterally flanked the axoneme (Ax) (Figures 1l, 2f and 2g)
The organisational pattern of the axoneme was verified by transmission electron microscopy to have the 9+9+2 pattern (Figure 2j)

Summary

Introduction

In both vertebrates and invertebrates, studies addressing the ultrastructural aspects of spermatogenesis and, the structure of the sperm comprise a vast and growing body of literature. Some ultrastructures involved in spermatogenesis, such as the acrosome, axoneme, mitochondria and chromatoid body, are described in the literature. The acrosome (Ac) is an organelle essential for fecundation [1]. The acrosome is related to the sperm’s ability to remove the protective mechanism on the surface of ovule and/or to digest barriers to the migration of sperm into the female reproductive tract [4]. Acrosomes originate from the Golgi complex [5,6]

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