• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.55-65
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• 2011

Some characteristics of germ cell differntiations during spermiogenesis and mature sperm ultrastructure in male Phacosoma japonicus were investigated by transmission electron microscope observations. The morphology of the spermatozoon of this species has a primitive type and is similar to those of other species in the subclass Heterodonta. Morphologies of the sperm nucleus and the acrosome of this species are the cylindrical type and cap shape, respectively. The spermatozoon is approximately 45-50 ${\mu}m$ in length, including a long curved sperm nucleus (about $3.70{\mu}m$ long with 45 $^{\circ}$ of the angle of the nucleus, an acrosome (about $0.55{\mu}m$ in length), and tail flagellum (about 42-$47{\mu}m$)The axoneme of the sperm tail shows a 9+2 structure. As some characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle structures, the basal and lateral parts of basal rings show electron opaque part (region), while the anterior apex part of the acrosomal vesicle shows electron lucent part (region). These characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle were found in the family Veneridae and other several families in the subclass Heterodonta. These common characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle in the subclass Heterodonta can be used for phylogenetic and systematic analysis as a taxonomic key or a significant tool. The number of mitochondria in the sperm midpiece of this species are four, as one of common characteristics appear in most species in the family Veneridae and other families in the subclass Heterodonta. However, exceptionally, only three species in Veneridae of the subclass Heterodonta contain 5 mitochondria. The number of mitochondria in the sperm midpiece can be used for the taxonomic analysis of the family or superfamily levels as a systematic key or tools.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.165-174
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• 2012

The morphology and taxonomic values of the sperm in male Chlamys (Swiftopecten) swiftii were investigated by transmission electron microscope observations. The morphologies and ultrastructures of the sperm nucleus and the acrosome of this species are the vase type and long cone shape, respectively. Spermatozoa are approximately $45-50{\mu}m$ long including a sperm nucleus (approximately $2.60{\mu}m$ long), an acrosome (about $0.63{\mu}m$ long), and a tail flagellum (approximately $44-47{\mu}m$ in long). The axoneme of the sperm tail shows a 9+2 structure. In this study, the right and left basal rings in the acrosomal vesicle of this species show electron opaque part (region), and also the anterior apex part of the acrosomal vesicle shows electron opaque part (region). These characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle were found in Pectinidae and other several families in subclass Pteriomorphia. The number of mitochondria in the midpiece of the sperm of this species are four, as one of common characteristics appear in most species in Pectinidae in subclass Pteriomorphia. In addition, the satellite fibres are found near the distal centriole of this species, as have been reported in other species of Pectinidae in subclass Pteriomorphia. Accordingly, structutral characteristics which are found in the acrosomal vesicle, four mitochondria in the sperm midpiece and the appearance of the satellite fibers near the distal centriole of C. (S.) swiftii in Pectinidae (subclass Pteriomorphia), can be employed for phylogenetic and taxonomic analyses as taxonomic key or a significant tool.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.641-645
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• 2003

Spermatogenesis, ultrastructure, and sperm morphology of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) were investigated with TEM and SEM. C. gigas sperm were primitive consisting of a head midpiece and tail. Sperm size (head and midpiece) was about 1.78 ${\mu}m$. Sperm morphology was similar to a sharp of a small water jar with a rough surface. Sperm had both anterior nuclear fossa (anf) and posterior nuclear fossa (pnf). Acrosome forms had a hat-like shape. The axial rod was projected in front of the acrosome. C. gigas sperm had four large mitochondria in the midpiece.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.281-286
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• 2004

Spermatogenesis and sperm ultrastructure of the marsh clam (Corbicula japonica) were investigated by electron microscopic observations. Testis of the marsh clam consists of numerous spermatogenic follicle containing germ cells in the different developmental stages. Spermatogonia are located nearest the outer wall of the follicle, while spermtocytes and spermatids are positioned nearer to the lumen. Spematogonia are oval-shaped and about $5{\mu}m$ In diameter. Spermatogonia develop into spermatocyte, spermatid and spermatozoon. In the spermatid to about $2{\mu}m$ in diameter, cytoplasm decreases and mitochondria move to the base of the nucleus and fuse into several spheres, the centrioles become orthogonally oriented, a flagellum appears, and an acrosomal vesicle forms. The mature sperm has primitive type, consisting of a head, a midpiece and a tail. The sperm was arrow-shaped, and its head is about $8{\mu}m$ long and comprised of a long nucleus and an acrosome. The four mitochondria encircled the centrosome in midpiece. The flagellum had the classical 9+2 axoneme structure, and axonemal lateral fins in the tail were observed.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.25.1-25.7
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• 2021

The axolotl has extraordinary regeneration capacity compared to other vertebrates. This remarkable potential has been attributed to its life-long neoteny, characterized by the exhibition of embryonic characteristics at the adult stage. A recent study provided a detailed morphological analysis of the sperm morphology of the Ambystoma mexicanum using routine and detailed histological techniques. The primary purpose of the present study is to describe a simple and inexpensive method for evaluating the morphology of axolotl sperm. In this study, spermatophore structures were collected and spread on slides and air-dried. The slides were stained with periodic acid Schiff, toluidine blue, Masson's trichrome, Giemsa, Spermac, and Diff-Quik dye for a morphological examination. The slides were coated with gold/palladium for a scanning electron microscopy examination. The sperm of the axolotl consisted of an elongated head, a neck, and a flagellum covered with an undulating membrane. The lengths of the midpiece, tail, and head were 8.575 ㎛, 356.544 ㎛, and 103.661 ㎛, respectively. In the flagellum part, the wavy membrane structure, whose function has not been explained, surrounds the tail. The data obtained from this study will constitute an important step in designing future research on the reproductive and regeneration capacity of the axolotl.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.273-282
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• 2011

The ultrastructural characteristics of germ cells during spermatogenesis and mature sperm morphology in male Pinctada martensii were investigated by transmission electron microscope observation. The morphologies of the sperm nucleus and the acrosome of this species are the oval shape and cone shape, respectively. Spermatozoa are approximately $47-50{\mu}m$ in length including a sperm nucleus (about $1.24{\mu}m$ in length), an acrosome (about $0.60{\mu}m$ in length), and tail flagellum (about $45-47{\mu}m$). The axoneme of the sperm tail shows a 9+2 structure. In P. martensii in Pteriidae, a special substructure showing a thick and wide triangular shape which is composed of electron-dense opaque material (occupied about 50% of all, the upper part of the acrosomal vesicle), appeared in the upper region (part) of the acrosomal vesicle, while the lower region (part) of the acrosomal vesicle is composed of electron-lucent material. Thus, this special structure, which exist in the upper part of the acrosomal vesicle in P. martensii, is somewhat different from those of other subacrosomal vesicle in other families in subacrosomal vesicles. Therefore, we assume that the existence of a special substructure showing a thick and wide triangular shape in the acrosomal vesicle of the spermatozoon can be used as a key characteristic for identification of P. martensii or other species in Pteriidae in subclass Pteriomorphia. The number of mitochondria in the midpiece of the sperm of this species are five (exceptionally sometimes four), as one of common characteristics appear the same number of mitochondria in the same families of superfamilyies. This species in Pteriidae does not contain the axial rod and satellite fibres which appear in the species in Ostreidae in subclass Pteriomorphia. These characteristics can be used for the taxonomic analysis of the family or superfamily levels as a systematic key or tools.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.121-129
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• 2011

The ultrastructural characteristics of germ cell development during spermatogenesis and mature sperm morphology of in male Scapharca subcrenata were investigated by transmission electron microscope observation. Spermatogonia are located nearest the outer wall of the acinus, while spermatocytes and spermatids are positioned near the accessory cells. The accessory cells, which is in close contact with developing germ cells, contained a large quantity of glycogen particles and lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. Therefore, it is assumed that they are involved in supplying of the nutrients for germ cell development. The morphologies of the sperm nucleus and the acrosome of this species are the oval shape and cone shape, respectively. Spermatozoa are approximately 45-$50{\mu}m$ in length including a sperm nucleus (about $1.30{\mu}m$ in length), an acrosome (about $0.59{\mu}m$ in length), and tail flagellum (about 43-$47{\mu}m$). The axoneme of the sperm tail shows a 9 + 2 structure. As some characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle structures, the right and left basal rings show electron opaque part (region), and also the anterior apex part of the acrosomal vesicle shows electron opaque part (region). These characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle were found in Acinidae and other several families in subclass Pteriomorphia. These common characteristics of the acrosomal vesicle in subclass Pteriomorphia can be used for phylogenetic and taxonomic analysis as a taxonomic key or a significant tool. The number of mitochondria in the midpiece of the sperm of this species are five, as one of common characteristics appear in most species in Arcidae and other families in subclass Pteriomorphia. The acrosomal vesicles of Arcidae species do not contain the axial rod and several transverse bands in acrosome, unlkely as seen in Ostreidae species in subclass Pteriomorphia, These characteristics can be used for the taxonomic analysis of the family or superfamily levels as a systematic key or tools.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2021

The differentiation process of male germ cells and sperm morphology of the abalone Haliotis discus hannai were described in ultrastructure. The differentiation process of sperm was divided into four stages: spermatogonium, spermatocyte, spermatid and sperm. The process of differentiation from spermatogonium to spermatocyte did not show significant morphological changes. However, during the spermiogenesis there were distinct morphological changes such as chromatin condensation, morphological changes of the nucleus, and formation of acrosome, midpiece and flagellum. The sperm of the abalone consisted of head, midpiece and tail. The head of approximately 5.3 ㎛ in length was composed of a nucleus of high electron dense and bullet-shaped acrosome. The midpiece was composed of the basal body and mitochondria, and five mitochondria were arranged in single layer around the basal body. The cross section of the tail showed a "9+2" axonemal structure. These morphological and structural features are the result of showing that the sperm of H. discus hannai is a primitive type.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.160-169
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• 2023

Objective: Cryptorchidism is one of the main causes of infertility and can result in testicular cancer. This study aimed to present quantitative data on the damage caused by cryptorchidism using stereological analysis. Methods: Thirty newborn rats were randomly divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group underwent surgery to induce unilateral cryptorchidism in the left testis, whereas the control group underwent a sham surgical procedure 18 days after birth. The testes were removed at designated time points (40, 63, and 90 days after birth) for stereological evaluation and sperm analysis. Total testicular volume, interstitial tissue volume, seminiferous tubule volume and length, and seminiferous epithelium volume and surface area were measured. Other parameters, such as sperm count, sperm morphology, and sperm tail length, were also examined. Results: Statistically significant differences (p<0.05) were observed between the experimental and the control groups at different ages regarding the volumes of various parameters, including the surface area of the germinal layer, the length of the seminiferous tubules, sperm count, and sperm morphology. However, no significant differences were observed in the epithelial volume and the sperm tail length of the groups. Conclusion: Given the substantial effect of cryptorchidism on different testicular parameters, as well as the irreversible damage it causes in the testes, it is important to take this abnormality seriously to prevent these consequences.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.51-62
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• 2010

The ultrastructures of germ cells and the accessory cells during spermatogenesis and mature sperm ultrastructure in male Gomphina veneriformis, which was collected on the coastal waters of Yangyang, East Sea of Korea, were investigated by transmission electron microscope observations. The morphology of the spermatozoon has a primitive type and is similar to those of other bivalves in that it contains a short midpiece with four mitochondria surrounding the centrioles. Accessory cells are observed to be connected to adjacent germ cells, they contain a large quantity of glycogen particles and lipid droplets in the cytoplasm. Therefore, it is assumed that they are involved in the supplying of the nutrients for germ cell development, while any phenomena associated with phagocytosis of undischarged, residual sperms by lysosomes in the cytoplasm of the accessory cells after spawning was not observed in this study. The morphologies of the sperm nucleus type and the acrosome shape of this species have a cylindrical and modified long cone shape, respectively. In particular, the axial filaments in the lumen of the acrosome, and subacrosomal granular materials are observed in the subacrosomal space between the anterior nuclear fossa and the beginning part of axial filaments in the acrosome. The spermatozoon is approximately $50-55{\mu}m$ in length including a long sperm nucleus (about $7.80{\mu}m$ in length), an acrosome (about $1.13{\mu}m$ in length) and tail flagellum ($40-45{\mu}m$). The axoneme of the sperm tail flagellum consists of nine pairs of microtubules at the periphery and a pair at the center. The axoneme of the sperm tail shows a 9+2 structure. Some charateristics of sperm morphology of this species in the family Veneridae are (1) acrosomal morphology, (2) the number of mitochondria in the midpiece of the sperm,. The axial filament appears in the acrosome as one of characteristics seen in several species of the family Veneridae in the subclass heterodonta, unlikely the subclass pteriomorphia containing axial rod instead of the axial filament. As some characteristics of the acrosome structures, the peripheral parts of two basal rings show electron opaque part (region), while the apex part of the acrosome shows electron lucent part (region). These charateristics belong to the family Veneridae in the subclass heterodonta, unlikely a characteristic of the subclass pteriomorphia showing all part of the acrosome being composed of electron opaque part (region). Therefore, it is easy to distinguish the families or the subclasses by the acrosome structures. The number of mitochondria in the midpiece of the sperm of this species are four, as one of common characteristics appeared in most species in the family Veneridae.