Ultrastructural study of spermiogenesis and the spermatozoon of Crepidostomum metoecus (Digenea: Allocreadiidae), a parasite of Salmo trutta (Pisces: Teleostei).

Abstract

Spermiogenesis and the spermatozoon of Crepidostomum metoecus, an intestinal parasite of brown trout Salmo trutta, were studied by transmission electron microscopy. Spermiogenesis begins with the formation of a differentiation zone in front of 2 centrioles associated by an intercentriolar body. Each centriole is linked to a striated rootlet, and gives rise to a flagellum. The rotation of flagella is greater than 90 degrees; their fusion with the median cytoplasmic extension is proximodistal and asynchronous. The spermatozoon is formed after constriction of arched membranes. The spermatozoon possesses 2 axonemes of the 9 + "1" pattern, a nucleus, mitochondria, and glycogen. A major feature is the presence, in the anterior part, of external ornamentation and a lateral expansion associated with spinelike bodies. Another attribute is the presence of 2 mitochondria rather than just 1, as in most of the digenean spermatozoa. To our knowledge, this study is the first undertaken with a species of the Allocreadiidae.