Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 9, 2026

Processing Embryo, Eggshell, and Fungal Culture for Scanning Electron Microscopy
Published on: August 16, 2019
Cytoplasmic droplets of painted turtle spermatozoa
D H Gist1, R A Hess, R J Thurston
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221, USA.
Abstract:
Epididymal sperm from the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) possess a cytoplasmic droplet which is located eccentrically on the sperm midpiece. The droplet contains a large quantity of lipid droplets in addition to hollow vesicles and degenerate mitochondrial fragments. Lipid droplets are closely associated with mitochondrial membranes and may function in the formation or degradation of mitochondria. Cytoplasmic droplets become detached from the sperm midpiece in a coordinated manner shortly before the commencement of fall mating and are not observed on sperm recovered from the oviduct of females.
Related Concept Videos
Sperm Structure and Semen Composition
Spermatogenesis
Lampbrush Chromosomes
LBCs are made up of two pairs of conjugating homologous chromatids. Each chromatid consists of alternatively positioned regions of condensed-inactive chromatin and loosely placed-active side loops, which can be contracted and extended. The loops resemble the...
Fertilization
