Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Comparative Morphology of Mammalian Gametes

  • Chapter
A Comparative Overview of Mammalian Fertilization

Abstract

Among mammals there is a wide variation in gamete structure—particularly of male gametes. Interspecies differences exist on the gross level in the lengths and widths of spermatozoa and in the shapes of sperm heads. On the ultrastructural level the morphological characteristics of intracellular organelles vary widely. The degree of morphological variation in spermatozoa between different mammalian groups is so great that a number of workers have used sperm morphology as a phylogenetic trait (Harding et al., 1981, 1982; Vitullo et al., 1988, Breed and Inns, 1985; Friend, 1936; Hirth, 1960; Helm and Bowers, 1973; Linzey and Layne, 1974; Breed and Sarafis, 1979; Feito and Gallardo, 1982). What is the relevance of the wide range of sperm morphology to the fertilization process? Although the morphology of spermatozoa has been characterized in hundreds of mammalian species at the light microscopic level and in dozens of species at the EM level, fertilization has been studied in relatively few species, and even in these species the characterization is largely incomplete. It is easy to see why this is so when one considers the enormous technical problems involved in mating wild mammals and then catching the one fertilizing spermatozoon at the moment of contact with the egg in a thin section. In this chapter we compare the morphology of gametes among mammals. We consider why there is so much variation in sperm morphology and how it could relate to the fertilization process. We do not describe the surface of the mammalian spermatozoon or the sperm tail, because these are discussed in Chapter 3.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Anderson, W. A., Weissman, A., and Ellis, R. A., 1967, Cytodifferentiation during spermiogenesis in Lumbricus terrestris, J. Cell Biol. 32: 11–26.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Asa, C. S., and Phillips, D. M., 1988, Nuclear shaping in spermatids of the Thai leaf frog, Megophrys montana, Anat. Rec. 220: 287–290.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Baccetti, B., Bigliardi, E., and Burrini, A. G., 1980, The morphogenesis of vertebrate perforatorium, J. Ultrastruct. Res. 71: 272–287.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Beatty, R. A., and Sharma, K. N., 1959, Genetics of gametes III. Strain differences in spermatozoa from eight inbred strains of mice, Proc. R. Soc. Edinb. B 68: 25–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bedford, J. M., and Nicander, L., 1971, Ultrastructural changes in the acrosome and sperm membranes during maturation in the testis and epididymis of the rabbit and monkey, J. Anat. 108: 527–543.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bedford, J. M., Rodger, J. C., and Breed, W. G., 1984, Why so many mammalian spermatozoa—a clue from marsupials, Proc. R. Soc. Land. B 221: 221–233.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Braden, A. W H., 1958, Strain differences in the morphology of the gamete of the mouse, Aust. J. Biol. Sci. 12: 65–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Breed, W. G., and Inns, R. W, 1985, Variations in sperm morphology of Australian Vespertilionidae and its possible phylogenetic significance, Mammalia 49: 105–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Breed, W. G., and Leigh, C. M., 1988, Morphological observations on sperm—egg interactions during in vivo fertilization in the Dasyurid marsupial Sminthopsis crassicaudata, Gamete Res. 19: 131–149.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Breed, W. G., and Sarafis, V, 1979, On the phylogenetic significance of spermatozoal morphology and male reproductive tract anatomy in Australian rodents, Trans. R. Soc. S. Aust. 103: 127–135.

    Google Scholar 

  • Breed, W. G., Cox, G. A., Leigh, C. M., and Hawkins, P, 1988, Sperm head structure of a murid rodent from South Africa: The red veld rat, Aethomys chrysophilus, Gamete Res. 19: 191–202.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J., 1969, Why so many sperms? An essay on the arithmetic of reproduction, Sci. Prog. Oxf. 57: 23–41.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J., 1983, Selection among spermatozoa, in: The Sperm Cell ( J. Andre, ed.), Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, pp. 33–37.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, G. W, and Bedford, J. M., 1976, Asymmetry of spermiation and sperm surface charge patterns over the giant acrosome in the musk shrew, Suncus murinus, J. Cell Biol. 69: 415–428.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cummins, J. M., 1983, Sperm size, body mass and reproduction in mammals, in: The Sperm Cell ( J. Andre, ed.), Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, pp. 395–398.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Cummins, J. M., and Woodall, P F., 1985, On mammalian sperm dimensions, J. Reprod. Fertil. 75: 153–175.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dekel, N., 1986, Hormonal control of ovulation, in: Biochemical Actions of Hormones, Academic Press, New York, pp. 57–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dekel, N., and Phillips, D. M., 1979, Maturation of rat cumulus oophorus—a scanning electron microscope study, Biol. Reprod. 21: 9–18.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fawcett, D. W., 1965, The anatomy of the mammalian spermatozoa with particular reference to the guinea pig, Z. Zellforsch. Mikrosk. Anat. 67: 279–296.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fawcett, D. W., 1970, A comparative view of sperm ultrastructure, Biol. Reprod. [Suppl.] 2:90–127. Fawcett, D. W, 1975, The mammalian spermatozoon, Dev. Biol. 44: 394–436.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fawcett, D. W, and Hollenberg, R., 1963, Changes in the acrosome of the guinea pig spermatozoa during passage through the epididymis, Z. Zellforsch. Mikrosk. Anat. 60: 276–292.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fawcett, D. W, and Phillips, D. M., 1970, Recent observations on the ultrastructure and development of the mammalian spermatozoon, in: Comparative Spermatology ( B. Baccetti, ed.), Academia de Linceri/Academic Press, Rome, pp. 13–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feito, R., and Gallardo, M., 1982, Sperm morphology of Chilean species of Ctenomys (Octodontidae), J. Mamm. 63: 658–661.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flaherty, S. P., and Breed, W. G., 1983, The sperm head of the plains mouse, Pseudomys australis: Ultrastructure and effects of chemical treatments, Gamete Res. 8: 231–244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flaherty, S. P, and Breed, W. G., 1987, Formation of the ventral hooks on the sperm head of the plains mouse, Pseudomys australis, Gamete Res. 17: 115–129.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Forman, G. L., and Genoways, H. H., 1979, Biology of Bats of the New World, Phyllostomadtidae Part III Special Publication 16,The Museum of Texas Tech University Lubbock, pp. 177–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Friend, G. F., 1936, The sperms of the British Muridae, Q. J. Microsc. Sci. 78: 419–443.

    Google Scholar 

  • Furieri, P, 1970, Sperm morphology in some reptiles: Squamata and Chelonia, in: Comparative Spermatology ( B. Bacetti, ed.), Academic Press, New York, pp. 115–132.

    Google Scholar 

  • Green, J. A., and Dryden, G. L., 1976, Ultrastructure of epididymal spermatozoa of the Asiatic musk shrew, Suncus murinus, Biol. Reprod. 14: 327–331.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harcourt, A. H., Harvey, P. H., Larson, S. G., and Short, R. V, 1981, Testis weight, body weight and breeding system in primates, Nature 293: 55–57.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harding, H. R., Carrick, F. N., and Shorey, C. D., 1977, Spermatozoa of Australian marsupials: Ultrastructure and epididymal development, in: Reproduction and Evolution, Fourth International Symposium on Comparative Biology of Reproduction ( C. H. Tyndale-Biscoe, ed.), Australian Academy of Science, Canberra, pp. 151–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harding, H. R., Carrick, F. N., and Shorey, C. D., 1979, Special features of sperm structure and function in marsupials, in: The Spermatazoon ( J. M. Bedford, ed.), Urban & Schwarzenberg, Baltimore, pp. 289–303.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harding, H. R., Carrick, F. N., and Shorey, D. C., 1981, Marsupial phylogeny: New indications from sperm ultrastructure and development in Tarsipes spenserae, Search 12: 45–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harding, H. R., Woolley, P. A., Shorey, C. D., and Carrick, E N., 1982, Sperm ultrastructure, spermiogenesis and epididymal sperm maturation in Dasyurid marsupials: Phylogenetic implications, in: Carnivorous Marsupials ( M. Archer, ed.), Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales, Sydney, pp. 659–673.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartman, C. G., 1916, Studies in the development of the opossum: Didelphis virginiana I. History of early cleavage II. Formation of the blastocyst, J. Morphol. 27: 1–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heath, E., Schaeffer, N., Merit, D. A., and Jeyendran, R. S., 1987, Rouleaux formation by spermatozoa in the naked-tail armadillo, Cabassous unicinctus, J. Reprod. Fertil. 79: 153–158.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Helm, J. D., and Bowers, J. R., 1973, Spermatozoa of Tylomys and Ototylomys, J. Mamm. 54: 769–772.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hendelberg, J., 1965, On different types of spermatozoa in Polycladida turbellaria, Ark. Zool. 18: 267–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, J. P, 1910, The early development of the marsupials with special reference to the mature cat (Dasyurus viverrinus), G. J Microsc. Sci. 56: 1–134.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hirth, H. F., 1960, The spermatozoa of some North American bats and rodents, J. Morphol. 106: 77–83.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holstein, A. F., and Roosen-Runge, E. C., 1981, Atlas of Human Spermatozoa, Grosse Verlag, Berlin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Illison, L., 1969, Spermatozoal head shape in two inbred strains of mice and their Fl and F2 progenies, Aust. J. Biol. Sci. 22: 947–963.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jamieson, B., 1987, The Ultrastructure and Phylogeny of Insect Spermatozoa, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Katz, D. F, and Overstreet, J. W, 1980, Mammalian sperm movement in the secretions of the male and female genital tracts, in: Testis Development, Structure and Function ( A. Steinberger, ed.), Raven Press, New York, pp. 481–489.

    Google Scholar 

  • King, B. F., and Tibbits, F. D., 1977, Ultrastructural observations on cytoplasmic lamellar inclusions in oocytes of the rodent Thomomys, Anat. Rec. 189: 263–272.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koehler, J. K., 1966, Fine structure observations in frozen-etched bovine spermatozoa, J. Ultrastruct. Res. 16: 359–375.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koehler, J. K., 1977, Fine structure of spermatozoa of the Asiatic musk shrew, Suncus murinus, Am. J. Anat. 149: 135–151.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Koehler, J. K., Clark, J. M., and Smith, D., 1985, Freeze-fracture observations on mammalian oocytes, Am. J. Anat. 174: 317–329.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krause, W. J., and Cutts, J. H., 1979, Pairing of spermatozoa in the epididymis of the opossum (Didelphis virginiana): A scanning electron microscopic study, Arch Histol. Jpn. 42: 181–90.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krzanowska, H., 1976, Types of sperm-head abnormalities in four inbred strains of mice, Acta. Biol. Cracow (Ser. Zool.) 19: 79–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Linzey, A. V, and Layne, J. N., 1974, Comparative morphology of spermatozoa of the rodent genus Peromyscus (Muridae), Am. Mus. Novitates 2355: 1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martan, J., and Hruban, Z., 1970, Unusual spermatozoan formations in the epididymis of the flying squirrel, Glaucomys volans, J. Reprod. Fertil. 21: 167–170.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nicander, L., and Bane, A., 1966, Fine structure of the sperm head in some mammals with particular reference to the acrosome and the subacrosomal substance, Z. Zellforsch. 72: 496–515.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nicosia, S. V, Wolf, D. P, and Inoue, M., 1977, Cortical granule distribution and cell surface characteristics in mouse eggs, Biol. of Reprod. 57: 56–74.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, G. E., 1980, Changes in intramembranous particle distribution in the plasma membrane of Didelphis virginiana spermatozoa during maturation in the epididymis, Anat. Rec. 197: 471–486.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, G. E., and Winfrey, V. P, 1988, Characterization of the postacrosomal sheath of bovine spermatozoa, Gamete Res. 20: 329–342.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olson, G. E., Noland, T. D., Winfrey, V. P., and Garbers, D. L., 1983, Substructure of the postacrosomal sheath of bovine spermatozoa, J. Ultrastruct. Res. 85: 204–218.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parker, G. A., 1970, Sperm competition and its evolutionary consequences in the insects, Biol. Rev. 45: 525–567.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parker, G. A., 1982, Why are there so many tiny sperm? Sperm competition and the maintenance of two sexes, J. Theor. Biol. 96: 281–294.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pedersen, H., 1972, The postacrosomal region of the spermatozoa of man and Macaca arctoides, J. Ultrastruct. Res. 40: 366–377.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D. M., 1970, Insect sperm: Their structure and morphogenesis, J. Cell Biol. 44: 243–277.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D. M., 1974, Spermiogenesis, Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D. M., 1975, Mammalian sperm structure, in: Handbook of Physiology ( R. Greep and E. Astwood, eds.), Waverly Press, Baltimore, pp. 405–419.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D. M., 1977, Surface of the equatorial segment of the mammalian acrosome, Biol. Reprod. 16: 128–137.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D. M., and Bedford, J. M., 1985, Ultrastructure of spermatozoa of the musk shrew Suncus murinus, J. Exp. Zool. 235: 119–126.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D. M., and Bedford, J. M., 1987, Sperm-sperm associations in the loris, Gamete Res. 18: 17–23.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D. M., and Fadem, B. H., 1987, The oocytes of a new world marsupial, Monodelphis domestica: Structure, formation and function of the enveloping mucoid layers,.1. Exp. Zool. 242: 363–371.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D. M., and Kalay, D., 1984, Observations on mechanisms of flagellar motility deduced from backwards swimming bull sperm, J. Exp. Zool. 231: 109–116.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D. M., and Shalgi, R., 1980a, Surface properties of the mouse and hamster zona pellucida and oocyte, J. Ultrastruct. Res. 72: 172.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D. M., and Shalgi, R., 1980b, Surface properties of the zona pellucida, J. Exp. Zool. 213: 1–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D. M., Shalgi, R., and Dekel, N., 1985, Mammalian fertilization as seen with the scanning electron microscope, Am. J. Anat. 174: 357–372.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips, D. M., Asa, C., and Stover, J., 1987, Ultrastructure of spermatozoa of the white-naped crane, J. Submicrosc. Cytol. 19: 489–494.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ploen, L., Ekwall, H., and Afzelius, B. A., 1979, Spermiogenesis and the spermatozoa of the European common shrew, Sorex aruneusl, J. Ultrastruct. Res. 68: 149–159.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rattner, J. B., 1972, Nuclear shaping in marsupial spermatids, J. Ultrastruct. Res. 40:498–512. Retzius, G., 1906, Spermatozoa of the Marsupialia, Biol. Unters. N.F. 13: 77–86.

    Google Scholar 

  • Retzius, G., 1909a, Spermatozoa of Didelphys, Biol. Unters. N.E 14: 123–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Retzius, G., 1909b, Spermatozoa of mammals, Biol. Unters. N.E 14: 163–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Retzius, G., 1910, General contribution to the knowledge of spermatozoa with special reference to nuclear material, Biol. Unters. N.F. 15: 63–82.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sato, M., Motow, O., and Sakoda, K., 1966, Electron microscopic study of spermatogenesis in the lung fluke (Paragonium miyasakii), Z. Zellforsch. 77: 232–243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shalgi, R., and Phillips, D. M., 1983, Role of cumulus in zona penetration, in: Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Spermatology-Seillac ( J. Andre, ed.), Martinus Nijhoff, The Hague, pp. 90–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Suttle, J. M., Moore, H. D. M., Peirce, E. J., and Breed, W. G., 1988, Quantitative studies on variation in sperm head morphology of the hopping mouse, Notomys alexis, J. Exp. Zool. 247: 166–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szollosi, D., 1967, Development of cortical granules and the cortical reaction in rat and hamster eggs, Anat. Rec. 159: 431–446.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Talbot, P., and Dicarlantonio, G., 1984, Ultrastructure of opossum oocyte investing coats and their sensitivity to trypsin and hyaluronidase, Dev. Biol. 103: 159–167.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Temple-Smith, P. D., and Bedford, J. M., 1980, Sperm maturation and the formation of sperm pairs in the epididymis of the opossum, Didelphis virginiana, J. Exp. Zool. 214: 161–171.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • van Dujin, C., 1975, Bibliography (with review) on maturation of spermatozoa, Biol. Reprod. 25: 241–248.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Dujin, C., and van Voorst, C., 1971, Precision measurements of dimensions, refractive index and mass of bull spermatozoa in the living state, Mikroskopie 27: 142–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitullo, A. D., Roldan, E. R. S., and Marani, M. S., 1988, On the morphology of spermatozoa of tuco-tucos, Ctenomys (Rodentia: Ctenomyidae): New data and its implications for the evolution of the genus, J. Zool. Lond. 215: 675–683.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yanagamachi, R., and Teichman, R. J., 1972, Cytochemical demonstration of acrosomal proteinase in mammalian and avian spermatozoa by a silver proteinase method, Biol. Reprod. 6: 87–97.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Population Council, New York, New York, 10021, USA

    David M. Phillips

  2. Biology Department, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, 16057, USA

    Gil L. Dryden

Authors
  1. David M. Phillips
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Gil L. Dryden
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cell Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, 77030, Houston, Texas, USA

    Bonnie S. Dunbar

  2. Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 27599, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA

    Michael G. O’Rand

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1991 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Phillips, D.M., Dryden, G.L. (1991). Comparative Morphology of Mammalian Gametes. In: Dunbar, B.S., O’Rand, M.G. (eds) A Comparative Overview of Mammalian Fertilization. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-8982-9_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-8982-9_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-8984-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-8982-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation