Ultrastructural localization of enzymatic activity during spermiogenesis in two phytophagous bugs (Hemiptera:...

Ultrastructural cytochemical techniques were used for the localization of phosphatases and oxidases in spermatid and spermatozoon of the phytophagous bugs Acrosternum aseadum and Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). Acid phosphatase was found mainly in the trans most portion of the Golgi complex, and in the acrosome of spermatozoon. Glucose-6-phosphatase was located in the endoplasmic reticulum, trans portion of the Golgi complex and in the acrosome of spermatids. The axoneme showed activity of acid phosphatase, glucose-6-phosphatase and thiamine pyrophosphatase. This observation supports the idea that various phosphates may play some role in spermatid differentiation. Indeed, the presence of cytochrome oxidase activity was only shown in the mitochondrial cristae of early spermatids, suggesting also the participation of this enzyme during spermatid differentiation of this insect.