Spermatozoa and cilia lacking axoneme in an infertile man

A case of absence of axoneme both in spermatozoa and in the respiratory tract of the same individual is described. Spermatozoa are normal in shape and in head structure, but have tails containing only mitochondria, accessory fibers and fibrous sheath. Cilia in respiratory cells are present and normally long, but empty, flattened, devoid of microtubules and centrioles, resembling mucous cells microvilli, which are quite shorter. The role of the axoneme in the accessory fibers and cilia morphogenesis is discussed.