Sperm macrocephaly syndrome in the ostrich Struthio camelus: morphological characteristics and implications for motility.
Reprod Fertil Dev
; 31(4): 712-723, 2019 Apr.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30458919
ABSTRACT
Sperm macrocephaly syndrome (SMS) is characterised by a high percentage of spermatozoa with enlarged heads and multiple tails, and is related to infertility. Although this multiple sperm defect has been described in other mammalian species, little is known about this anomaly in birds. Morphological examination of semen from nine South African black ostriches (Struthio camelus var. domesticus) involved in an AI trial revealed the variable presence of spermatozoa with large heads and multiple tails. Ultrastructural features of the defect were similar to those reported in mammals except that the multiple tails were collectively bound within the plasmalemma. The tails were of similar length and structure to those of normal spermatozoa, and the heads were 1.6-fold longer, emphasising the uniformity of the anomaly across vertebrate species. Flow cytometry identified these cells as diploid and computer-aided sperm analysis revealed that they swim slower but straighter than normal spermatozoa, probably due to the increased drag of the large head and constrained movement of the merged multiple tails. The high incidence of this defect in one male ostrich indicates that, although rare, SMS can occur in birds and may potentially have an adverse effect on breeding programs, particularly for endangered species.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Motilidade dos Espermatozoides
/
Espermatozoides
/
Infertilidade Masculina
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Reprod Fertil Dev
Assunto da revista:
MEDICINA REPRODUTIVA
Ano de publicação:
2019
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
África do Sul