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Sperm-sperm associations in the loris epididymis
1Population Council, New York, NY 10021.
Gamete Research
|September 1, 1987
Summary
Loris sperm form unique stacked rouleaux in the epididymis, unlike other mammals. These sperm then separate, showing unusual acrosomal material aggregations before ejaculation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Mammalian Reproduction
- Spermatology
Background:
- Spermatozoa in some mammals form persistent associations during epididymal transit.
- The loris (Nycticebus coucang), a prosimian primate, exhibits unique sperm behavior in the epididymis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the unusual morphological changes and associations of loris spermatozoa within the epididymis.
- To investigate the unique junctional complexes formed between loris sperm.
Main Methods:
- Light and electron microscopy techniques were used to examine loris spermatozoa.
- Spermatozoa were analyzed at different regions of the epididymis (caput and cauda).
Main Results:
- Loris spermatozoa initially enter the epididymis as single cells.
- In the caput epididymidis, sperm aggregate into rouleaux (2-8 cells) linked by unique junctional complexes.
- By the cauda epididymidis, sperm separate into single cells with significant aggregations of ordered material on the acrosome's concave surface.
Conclusions:
- Loris exhibit a converse pattern of sperm association compared to other mammals studied.
- The functional significance of these dynamic sperm aggregations and surface modifications in the loris epididymis remains undetermined.