•  
  •  
 

Keywords

Spermatogenesis, germinal epithelium, Alligator Snapping Turtle

Abstract

We investigated the cytology of the seminiferous epithelia of the Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii). Spermatogenic and regressed testes were assessed from 2 adult individuals collected in Arkansas in May and September of 1993. Specifically, we focused on the cellular phases of germ cell development and maturation. The germ cell morphology and developmental strategy within the germinal epithelium of M. temminckii appear similar to that of other genera of turtles previously studied. Interestingly, mitotic, meiotic, and spermiogeneic cells are nearly identical to that of other turtles studied based on light microscopy. There are also 6 recognizable steps to spermiogenesis, which is slightly different than the 7 steps of most turtles (step 7 absent). Though this study only uses 2 individuals (because of its endangered status), M. temminckii appears to start spermatogenesis in the spring, and the climax of spermiogenesis occurs in the fall similar to that of other temperate turtles studied to date based on light microscopy. Peculiar to both turtles in this study were the regular appearance of very large germ cells in the basal compartment of the germinal epithelium. Based on previous research and our histological analysis these enlarged spermatogonia exhibit hypertrophic characteristics typical of cells undergoing apoptosis.

Download

Share

COinS