The Histochemistry of the Male Germ-cells of the Nematode Porrocaecum angusticolle, a Parasite in the Vulture

Abstract

ABSTRACT The cytoplasm of the male germ-cells of Porrocaecum angusticolle contains (1) phospholipid granules, (2) ‘refringent bodies’ consisting of ribonucleoproteins at first, but some masked lipids as well in the late spermatid, (3) mitochondria of the usual lipoprotein nature. The refringent bodies arise in the spermatocytes in close association with the phospholipid granules (‘Golgi bodies’) by the aggregation of cytoplasmic basiphil material. In the spermatids the refringent bodies gradually fuse to form a single cone-like structure which occupies the narrow posterior region of the spermatozoon. This cone-like structure, judging from its origin in close association with the ‘Golgi bodies’ (acroblasts), is the homologue of the acrosome of a normal flagellate sperm; but it is completely devoid of polysaccharides and seems unable to function as an acrosome, since it occupies a position posterior to the nucleus in the spermatozoon. On the contrary, some polysaccharides have been demonstrated by the authors in the broad anterior region of the spermatozoon, which may be functioning as an acrosome.