Summary
The form and differentiation of the endoplasmic reticulum has been studied in the developing sperm of the crayfish, Cambaroides japonicus. Throughout development a relationship between the nuclear envelope and cytoplasmic portion of the endoplasmic reticulum has been shown to exist. Furthermore, large contributions of material from the nuclear envelope to extranuclear cytoplasmic systems has been noted in the development of early spermatids and nearly mature sperm.
A sequential predominance of several types of endoplasmic reticulum has been described in the differentiating sperm. An agranular vesicular reticulum is the most common in the early stages although annulate lamellar stacks and “rough” surfaced stacks are scattered randomly throughout the cytoplasm. Blebs of the nuclear envelope appear to contribute “rough” surfaced reticulum to the cytoplasmic system in the early spermatid. A fusion of vesicular elements results in the formation of the dense filamentous reticulum which is typical of the nearly mature sperm. Densely packed lamellae develop on the nuclear envelope in the maturing sperm and are connected to both the nuclear envelope and filamentous endoplasmic reticulum. The possible relationships of these lamellar groups to mitochondria or Golgi is discussed.
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Supported in part by Grant No B-2314 of the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness, U.S. Public Health Service.
Predoctoral Research Fellow of the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness, U.S. Public Health Service.
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Kaye, G.I., Pappas, G.D., Yasuzumi, G. et al. The distribution and form of the endoplasmic reticulum during spermatogenesis in the crayfish, Cambaroides japonicus . Zeitschrift für Zellforschung 53, 159–171 (1961). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00339439
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00339439