Ultrastructure of male genital tract, spermiogenesis, and spermatozoa of Peripatopsis moseleyi (Onychophora)

Abstract

The ultrastructure of the male genital tract of Peripatopsis moseleyi has been examined under the electron microscope. In the testes somatic cells, spermatogonia and spermatocytes occur. In the spermatocytes electron-dense granules are built by the Golgi-apparatus. They are released from the developing spermatid and can still be detected in the spermatophore. The spermiogenesis takes place in the seminal vesicles. Nuclear condensation and elongation, formation of middle piece and acrosome are described. The mature sperm cell has an elongated nucleus, a middle piece containing mitochondria only and a tail with 9+2-formation and accessory microtubule systems. The spermatophore is built within the vas deferens the epithelial cells of which secrete great amounts of material enveloping the sperm mass. © 1976 Springer-Verlag.