• Animal cells and systems
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.227-234
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• 2007

Spermatogenesis, the reproductive cycle, and the size at first sexual maturity in male Mactra chinensis were investigated by cytological and histological observations. The spermatozoon exhibits a primitive type morphology and is similar to those of other bivalves in that it contains a short midpiece with four mitochondria surrounding the centrioles. The morphologies of the sperm nucleus type and the acrosome shape of this species are cylindrical and modified cap-like, respectively. The spermatozoon is approximately $40-45\;{\mu}m$ in length including the sperm nucleus (about $1.46\;{\mu}m$), acrosome (about $1.20\;{\mu}m$) and tail flagellum. The axoneme of the sperm tail flagellum consists of nine pairs of microtubules at the periphery and a pair at the center. The axoneme of the sperm tail shows a 9+2 structure. The spawning period of this species lasts from June to September, and the main spawning occurs in July and August, when the seawater temperature is greater than $20^{\circ}C$. The percentage of individual male clams at first sexual maturity was 56.5% for those whose shell lengths were 35.1-40.0 mm, and 100% for over 45.1 mm. Accordingly, harvesting clams <35.1 mm in shell length could potentially cause a drastic reduction in recruitment, and a measure indicating a prohibitory fishing size should be taken for adequate fisheries management.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.347-354
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• 2006

Spermiogenesis in the Zacco koreanus is characterized by lateral development of flagellum, shallow nuclear fossa formation and with no nuclear rotation. These spermatozoa exhibit a spherical head containing a nucleus with the chromatin highly condensed and no acrosome. The midpiece is a small and a short cytoplasmic canal. Mitochondria are separated from the initial segement of the axoneme by cytoplasmic canal. The flagellum contains the classic axoneme structure (9+2) and has a vesicle in the initial region; it dose not have axonemal fins. The presence of a vesicle in the initial region of flagella, a structure common in many Cypriniformes spermatozoa.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.480-485
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• 2003

Morphology of the spermatozoa from the testes of the catfish (Pseudobagrus brevicorpus) was studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The spermatozoa of P. brevicorpus are approximately $82.25\pm0.06\;{\mu}m$ in length and relatively simple cells composed of a spherical head, a short midpiece and a tail as in most teleost fish, The nucleus measuring about $2.00\pm0.02\;{\mu}m$ in length is depressed with a deep nuclear fossa of about $1.05\pm0.03\;{\mu}m$ in length three fifths of the nuclear length. The nuclear fossa contains the proximal and distal centrioles. The two centrioles are oriented approximately $150^{\circ}$ to each other. The mitochondria are arranged in two layers and their number is 12 or more. They are separated from the axoneme by the cytoplasmic canal. The axoneme is the 9+2 microtubular pattern and has inner but no outer dynein arms as in other bagrids. The axonemal fins were the closed to axonemal doublet 3 and 8. The axonemal fins and lost outer dynein arm are shared in Bagridae and the deep nuclear fossa is shared in Siluriformes. The axonemal fins observed in Bagridae and Amblycipitidae of Siluriformes might be the apomorphic character in Ostariophysi.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2006

Gonad index, spermatogenesis and the reproductive cycle of Meretrix petechialis were investigated by cytological, histological observations. Monthly changes in the gonad index coincides the gonadal development. The morphology of the spermatozoon had a primitive type and is similar to that of other bivalves having a short mid-piece with five to six mitochondria surrounding the centrioles. The morphology of the sperm nucleus type and the acrosome shape of this species were cylindrical type and cap-like shape, respectively. The spermatozoon was approximately 40-45 ${\mu}m$ in length including the sperm nucleus length (about 1.50 ${\mu}m$), acrosome length (0.60 ${\mu}m$) and tail flagellum. The axoneme of the tail flagellum consisted of nine pairs of microtubules at the periphery and a pair at the center. The axoneme of the sperm tail showed 9 + 2 microtubular arrangement. The spawning period was from June to September and the main spawning occurred from July to August when seawater temperatures were higher than $20^{\circ}C$. The reproductive cycle of this species could be categorized into five successive stages: early active stage (February to March), late active stage (February to May), ripe stage (April to July), partially spawned stage (June to September), and spent/inactive stage (September to February).

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.55-66
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• 1994

This study was carried out to investigate the histological changes of sperm cells in testis, obtained from 100 of 3-year-old male rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) collected and analysed from March in 1992 to February in 1993. Especially, the ultrastructural changes of spermatogonia, primary and secondary spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa were examined to describe the reproductive cycles of this species. The results obtained in this study were as follows: The ultrastructures of the gonadotrophs largely parallel the cyclical changes in the testes. Each nest of cells belongs to one spermatogenetic stage, although nests at different stages can be found within the one lobule. At first keterochromatin is dispersed and then is condensed. In mature gamete, the nucleus is dense and homogeneous. The nuclear membrane appeared at the beginning of differentiation. In spermatogonia, Sertoli cells are located at the periphery of their cytoplasm. In the primary spermatocytes, the small mitochondria are abundant over the outer cytoplasm. During cell differentiation, the cytoplasm decreases and the nucleus increases. In spermatids, the protein masses moved towards the posterior part of the nucleus. In late spermatids, the two large mitochondria are located over the cytoplasm. In spermatozoa, two spheroidal mitochondria (about 145nm long) are situated in parallel between the nucleus and the axoneme. Spermatozoa mitochondria are assembled into an organized sheath surrounding the outer dense fibres and axoneme of the flagellar midpiece. The two centrioles are quite separate and the central pair and sheath complex of the flagellum is inserted into the base of the distal centriole.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.183-192
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• 1993

A transmission electron microscopic study was performed to observe the ultrastructures of the male germinal cells and spermatozoa of Fibricola seoulensis. Spermatogonia were found in the periphery of the testis and characterized by large nuclei and comparatively little cytoplasms. Spermatocytes contained an oval to spherical nucleus. Their nuclear volume was little larger in comparative to that of cytoplasm, and the chromatin was comparatively little. The early spermatids were characterized by a great amount of cytoplasm, and numerous mitochondria encircled the nucleus. In a more advanced spermatids the electron-dense strands of chromatin appeared in the nucleus, and a pair of rootlet of the axoneme and a microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) were observed near the nucleus. The sectioned spermatozoa were found in the testis and the seminal vesicle. Their cross sectional views were divided into 6 types when they were distinguished on the basis of the morphology and components. The spermatozoa of F. seoulensis showed two flagella of 9+1 type axoneme.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.311-316
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• 2010

Spermatid differentiations during spermiogenesis and mature sperm ultrastructure in male Crassostrea nipponica were investigated by transmission electron microscope observations. The morphology of the spermatozoon of this species has a primitive type and is similar to those of other bivalves. Mature spermatozoa consist of broad, cap-shaped acrosomal vesicle and an axial rod in subacrosomal materials on an oval nucleus showing deeply invaginated anteriorly, two triplet substructure centrioles surrounded by four spherical mitochondria, and satelite fibres, which appear near the distal centriole. The acrosomal vesicle of spermatozoa of C. nipponica resemble to those of other investigated ostreids. Especially, two transverse bands (stripes) appear at the anterior region of the acrosomal vesicle, unlikely 2-3 transverse bands (stripes) in C. gigas. It is assumed that differences in this acrosomal substructure are associated with the inability of fertilization between the genus Crassostrea and other genus species in Ostreidae. Therefore, we can use sperm morphology in the resolution of taxonomic relationships within the Ostreidea. The sperm is approximately $48-50{\mu}m$ in length including an oval sperm nucleus (about $1.0{\mu}m$ in length and $1.41{\mu}m$ in width), an acrosome (about $0.48{\mu}m$ in length and 0.30 in width) and tail flagellum ($46-48{\mu}m$). The axoneme of the sperm tail flagellum consists of nine pairs of microtubules at the periphery and a pair at the center. The axoneme of the sperm tail shows a 9 + 2 structure. These morphological charateristics of acrosomal vesicle belong to the family Ostreidae in the subclass Pteriomorphia.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.377-386
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• 2011

The ultrastructures of germ cells during spermatogenesis and sperm morphology in male Mya arenaria oonogai, which was collected on the coastal waters of Samcheonpo, south coast of Korea, were investigated by transmission electron microscopic observations. In the early stage of the spermatid during spermiogenesis, a few granules and a proacrosomal granule, which is formed by the Golgi complex, appear on the spermatid nucleus, and then it becomes a proacrosomal vesicle. Consequently, it becomes an acrosome by way of the process of acrosome formation. The morphologies of the sperm nucleus type and the acrosome of this species have a curved cylindrical type and cone shape, respectively. The spermatozoon is approximately $48-50{\mu}m$ in length including a curved cylinderical sperm nucleus (about $2.65{\mu}m$ long), an acrosome (about $0.64{\mu}m$ in length) and tail flagellum ($40-45{\mu}m$ long). As some ultrastructural characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle, the peripheral parts of two basal rings show electron opaque part (region), while the apex part of the acrosome shows electron lucent part (region). These charateristics of the sperm belong to the family Myidae or some species of Veneridae in the subclass Heterodonta, unlike a characteristic of the subclass Pteriomorphia showing all part of the acrosome being composed of electron opaque part (region). Therefore, it is easy to distinguish the families or the subclasses by the acrosome structures. Exceptionally, In particular, a cylinder-like nucleus of the sperm is curved (the angle of the nucleus is about $20^{\circ}$), as seen in some species of Veneridae (range from $0^{\circ}-80^{\circ}$). The number of mitochondria in the midpiece of the sperm of this species are four, as one of common characteristics appeared in most species except for a few species in Veneridae in the subclass Heterodonta. Cross-sectioned axoneme of the sperm tail flagellum shows a 9+2 structure: the axoneme of the sperm tail flagellum consists of nine pairs of peripheral microtubules at the periphery and a pair of central doublets at the center.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.33-43
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• 2010

The ultrastructure of germ cells during spermatogenesis and some characteristics of sperm morphology in male Mytilus coruscus, which was collected on the coastal waters of Gyeokpo in western Korea, were investigated by transmission electron microscope observations. The morphology of the spermatozoon has a primitive type and is similar to those of other bivalves in that it contains a short midpiece with five mitochondria surrounding the centrioles. The morphologies of the sperm nucleus type and the acrosome shape of this species have an oval and modified cone shape, respectively. In particular, the axial rod is observed between the nucleus and acrosome of the sperm. The spermatozoon is approximately $45-50{\mu}m$ in length including a sperm nucleus (about $1.46{\mu}m$ in length), an acrosome (about $3.94{\mu}m$ in length) and tail flagellum (approximately $40-45{\mu}m$). The axoneme of the sperm tail flagellum consists of nine pairs of microtubules at the periphery and a pair at the center. The axoneme of the sperm tail shows a 9+2 structure. Some special charateristics of sperm morphology of this species in the genus Mytilus are (1) acrosomal morphology, (2) the number of mitochondria in the midpiece of the sperm, and (3) the existence of a satellite. The axial rod appears in the acrosome and sperm nucleus as one of the characteristics seen in several species of the subclass Pteriomorphia, unlikely the subclass Heterodonta containing axial filament instead of the axial rod. The number of mitochondria in the midpiece of the sperm of this species in the family Mytilidae are five, as one of common characteristics appeared in most species in the family Mytilidae. Most of Mytilus species contain a satellite body which is attached to the proximal centriole in the middle piece of the sperm, as one of common characteristics of sperm morphology in the family Mytilidae.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.311-319
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• 1997

This study was carried out to investigate the ultrastructural changes of spermatozoa obtained from 20 of 3-year-old male chum salmon(Oncorhynchus keta) collected and analysed in middle October in 1995. The ultrastructural changes of gonad of fingerlings were examined to describe the sex differentiation of this species. The results obtained in this study were as follows : In spermatozoa, the nucleus is dense and homogeneous. Two spheroidal mitochondria(about 350nm long) are situated in parallel between the nucleus and the axoneme. Spermatozoa mitochondria are assembled into an organized sheath surrounding the outer dense fibres and axoneme of the flagellar midpiece. The sheath flagellum is situated beneath the base of the sperm head. The primordial germ cells of 6.8~7.2${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in size, which were buried under fibrous mesenchymal tissue between gut duct and notochord of larva with a total length of 2.4cm at 50 days after hatching. In juvenile of 10.5cm in total length at 70 days after hatching, the gonad was occupied by bundles of oogonia. The dense drumstick bodies(large arrows) are observed in the nuclei of the primordial gonad and surrounding tissue cells of fingerling at 70 days after hatching. The oval Barr bodies(asterisk) are observed in the nuclei of the primordial germ cells under the mitosis(2n). Note the large mitochondria, ribosomes and rough endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm. Accordingly, the fingerlings at 70 days after hatching are identified as the female(xx). In result, the gonadal sex differentiation begins from the 70 days after hatching in chum salmon.