Fine structure and cytochemistry of the morphogenesis of round-headed human sperm

Ejaculates and testicular biopsies of two infertile men were examined at ultrastructural and cytochemical levels. The two patients presented spermiograms in which all the spermatozoa had globular heads. Wide Golgi areas and large masses of annulatae lamellae were evident during spermatogenesis. Abnormal acrosomal vesicles were evident during early spermatid stage. Among the late spermatids, there was a small group characterized by a fibrous sheath showing considerable malformation, and "spindle shaped body." In Sertoli cells, detached acrosomes undergoing degeneration were noted. Low TPPase activity was found in Golgi complex and in abnormal acrosomal vesicles of early spermatids. As regards acid phosphatase, was localized in spermatocytes and in early spermatids, but not in late spermatids and mature spermatozoa. Leydig cells had high phosphatase activity.