Histology of the Male Reproductive System 3

Question 1

Describe the structure of a spermatazoon.

Answer 1

• Three main parts:
  
  • Head
    
    • condensed, flattened nucleus capped by the acrosome with enzymes required for penetration of the zona pellucida that surrounds the ovum
    • specialized lysosome
  • Neck
    
    • pair of centrioles
    • the beginning of major parts of the taile, the axoneme
    • outer dense fibers
    • centrioles initiate development of motor component of flagellum
    • axoneme has nine outer microtubule doubles surrounding a central pair
  • Tail
    
    • middle piece - characterized by a wrapping of mitochondria peripheral to the outer dense fibers and the axoneme
    • principal piece - with the axoneme, outer dense fibers, and outer fibrous sheath
    • end piece - lost all accessory components except for axoneme