[Ultrastructural characteristics of human spermatozoa with elongated head (author's transl)]

In most spermatozoa with elongated head persists an abundant complex membranous system between the post-acromial zone and the post-nuclear region. This system has a periodical structure, the apparently spherical unit of which is 120 A in diameter; it develops between the two sheaths of the nuclear envelope and seems to be continuous with the innermost one. This system can be seen in spermatids during normal spermiogenesis and in most cases it seems to be eliminated either with cytoplasmic droplet or by swelling into the nucleus. Now, a comparable but permanent structure is located all around the head of the normal spermatozoon at the height of the posterior part of the post-acrosomial sheath. This latter system is organized under plasma membrane and only visible on the ultrathin sections made with an appropriate incidence. For some authors it might contribute to maintain the integrity of the head and that of the neck of the spermatozoon and so it might be comparable to a system of septal desmosomes. For other authors periodic structures might favour adherence and fusion of spermatozoon with ovocyte during fertilisation. The particular membranous system that we describe persists often in the spermatozoon with elongated head, by its exuberance it can trouble or delay the fusion of the two gametes at the moment of fertilisation, which might explain the sterility of men bearing this anomaly.