• Journal of Life Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.54-61
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• 2001

The comparative morphology of epididymal spermatozoa in the lesser white-toothed shrew, Crocidura suaveolens, the Japanese white-toothed shrew, C. dsinezumi and the big white-toothed shrew, C. lasiura, belonging to the subfamily Crocidurinae was studied with the light and electron microscopes. The spermatozoa of C. lasiura and C. dsinezumi were characterized by the large acrosome, serrated inner acrosomal membrane, common apical body and fistulous proximal centriole with slightly dense electron granular materials, which are the charateristics of the Crocidurinae. The C. suaveolens, however, is distinguished from the two species mentioned above in the sperm morphology. That is, the spermatozoa possess not only the charateristic of the Crocidurinae such aw the large acrosome, but also those of the Soricinae, i.e. the smooth inner acrosomal membrane, wavy, finger-like and electron-dense apical body, and the solid proximal centriole filled with electron-dense materials. The results suggest that C. suaveolens has conserved characteristics of the Soricinae.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2007

The ultrastructure of submandibular gland was examined in the Korean spider shrew, Sorex caecutiens. The submandibular gland wat composed of acini and salivary ducts. A submadibular acinus was a mixed gland having serous demilune cells and mucous cells that were filled with well developed rER, mitochondria and large amount of dense secretory granules. Serous acinar granules were oval shape without distinct limiting membrane on the border and it had only coarse specks with various density. Mucous acinar granules were oval shape without distinct limiting membrane and had a variety pattern with several thin or transparent bands into the homogeneous dense matrix. Thus submandibular acinar granules of S. caecutiens belonging to subfamily Soricinae were distinct from the other mammalian species including Crocidurinae, because of the absence of limiting membrane of acinar granules and specific pattern of mucous acinar granules. Granular duct cells had large amount of small granular vesicles and several characteristic structures of granule which were revered with stratified limiting membranes and filled with coarse serous-like granule or homogeneous matrix.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.179-184
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• 2004

Normal and abnormal morphology of the epididymal spermatozoa in the big white-toothed shrew, Crocidura lasiura were studied with the light and electron microscopy. Normal spematozoa were observed with a few abnormal spermatozoa. This indicates that abnormal morphology is no absolute indicator of infertility. However, the existence of the abnormal spermatozoa is related to infertility. Especially abnormal morphology of the sperm head is definitely associated with infertility. The following types of abnormal head morphology of the epididymal spermatozoa in the wild healthy adults of the C. lasiura were described: 1) Nucleus with lack of condensation of the nucleoplasm 2) Destructed acrosome 3) Folded acrosome and plasma membrane 4) Separation of the acrosome from the nucleus 5) Acrosome with irregular condensation 6) Wrongly located granules of the apical body.