[The fine structure of spermatozoa from Chiroptera]

The fine structure of hibernating bat spermatozoa (Vesperugo savi and Rinolophus f.e.) has been studied by SEM and TEM, during their prolonged storage in female reproductive tract. The main morphological aspects of sperm portions: head, neck, middle piece, principal piece and terminal piece have been described. The Author besides comparisons with other mammalian species and Chiroptera, suggests some typical ultrastructural features of these Chiroptera, as the complete absence of vacuoles in the nuclear chromatin and corrugated structures in the post-acrosomal zone. Moreover electron-dense material in the subacrosomal space and three mitochondria in the neck were observed. Two areas of fusion between outer dense fibers 3 and 8 and the inner ends of the respective longitudinal columns of the fibrous sheath and asymmetrical arrangement of the outer dense fibers of the principal piece were found.