ULTRASTRUCTURE OF MALE GERM CELLS AND CHARACTER OF SPERMATOZOA IN BOOPS BOOPS (FAMILY SPARIDAE) IN ALEXANDRIA COAST, EGYPT

ULTRASTRUCTURE OF MALE GERM CELLS AND
CHARACTER OF SPERMATOZOA IN BOOPS BOOPS
(FAMILY SPARIDAE) IN ALEXANDRIA COAST, EGYPT
ZAKI, M. I.
1*
; NEGM, R.K.
2
; EL-AGAMY, A.
3
; AWAD, G. S.
4
1- National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Alexandria.
2- National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries,Alexandria.
3-Faculty of Science, Zagazig University.
4-
Faculty of Science, Zagazig University.
Keywords: Testes, spermiogenesis, metamorphosis, spermatozoa, aquasperm
ABSTRACT
Ultrastructural studies of the spermatogonia showed masses of electron-dense opaque
substances, outside the nuclear membrane that were named the perinuclear “nuage”. Both
primary and secondary spermatocytes are always grouped into cysts and appear to be
connected by intercellular bridges. The initial phase of the spermatid development and its
metamorphosis into sperm is the appearance of electron-lucent vesicles in the cytoplasm.
The middle phase is the formation of the implantation fossa while the advanced phase is the
development of the flagellum.
The sperm of Boops boops is morphologically simple. It appeared by the electron
microscopy consisting of 3 regions, a round head, a short middle piece and a single very
long flagellum (characteristic to marine species), that penetrates the posterior region of the
sperm body through a relatively short cytoplasmic canal. No accessory structures were
apparent on the flagellum.