[Comparative light and electron microscopic studies of spermiogenesis in the male rabbit, boar and ram]

Light-microscopic studies were conducted into testicular swabs of male rabbit, boar, and ram and compared to data obtained from electron-microscopic studies into ultramicrotomised specimens of male rabbit and ram, with the view to elucidating the courses of spermiogenesis. Intraspermatic spermatid transformation was found to be largely the same in these species. Spermiogenesis, so far subdivided by four phases, is proposed for subdivision into five phases, Golgi, hood, acrosomal, cuff, and maturation, to incorporate into overall spermatogenesis the process of spermatic maturation, to incorporate into overall spermatogenesis the process of spermatic maturation which takes place in the epididymal ductuli. Plasma transudation, in concomitance with spermiogenesis, is attached to the various phases. Evidence has already been produced to existence of four or five. They were found to be of great relevance to the formation of spermia normal in terms of morphology and physiology. Testicular swabs are easier to prepare than microtomised specimens and, therefore, should be given preference for light-microscopic studies into spermiogenesis. Besides, their informative capability is high, as may be seen from the above results.