Spermatogenesis of the green-lipped mussel Perna viridis with dual patterns of acrosome and tail development in spermatids

Abstract

Spermatogenesis in the mussel Perna viridis was studied by electron microscopy. Results demonstrated that cytological development in spermatogonia and spermatocytes was similar to that previously described in other Mytilidae. Acrosome formation began with the arising of proacrosomal vesicles in spermatogonia. The abundance of proacrosomal vesicles increased in spermatocytes, which were flagellated. However, during spermiogenesis, dual patterns of acrosome development as well as flagellum development could be found among spermatids in a male gonad. The two lines of acrosome formation in spermatids ultimately gave rise to morphologically similar acrosomes. The two lines of flagellum development in spermatids resulted in the formation of sperm cells with either a typically posteriorly directed tail or an anteriorly directed tail. © Springer-Verlag and AWI 1999.