title: Ultrastructure of the turtle spermatozoon.
abstract: The turtle spermatozoon is vermiform in shape with a narrow pointed head that is curved. In general, the turtle sperm contains a typical head, midpiece and tail, similar in morphology to that of birds, amphibians and other reptiles. However, several structures are unique. These unusual features include (1) a perforatorial cap over the proximal end of the nucleus, which contains 2-3 rods that are contiguous with intranuclear tubules; (2) a connecting collar of dense material that surrounds the base of the nucleus; (3) a distal centriole containing central microtubules that extend its entire length and having outer triplicate microtubules that open toward the central cavity of the centriole; and (4) unusual spherical mitochondria containing 7-8 outer laminated membranes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Biosciences, University of Illinois, Urbana 61801.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hess
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Thurston
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Gist
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002502:Centrioles / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D008870:Microtubules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013077:Sperm Head / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013082:Sperm Tail / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D014426:Turtles / Q000033:anatomy & histology*