Immunocytochemical study on fibrous sheath formation in mouse spermiogenesis using a monoclonal antibody.

One of the components of the fibrous sheath was localized in the spermatids by the immunocytochemical method using the monoclonal antibody, K32, against the fibrous sheath of mouse mature epididymal sperm. The K32 immunoreaction was first detected in the cytoplasm of spermatids at stage 14 and appeared to increase in intensity at stage 15. At this stage, the framework structure of the fibrous sheath was formed completely in the tail, but the positive reaction in the fibrous sheath was observed only in the proximal portion of the principal piece. This change in the antigenicity of the fibrous sheath proceeded in a proximal to distal direction, which was opposite to the mode of formation of the framework structure in the fibrous sheath. Finally, the entire fibrous sheath strongly reacted to the K32 antibody at stage 16, while the reaction in the cytoplasm ceased to occur. These observations indicate that the fibrous sheath matures with immunologically detectable changes in its components following formation of the framework structure. In consideration of the retrograde progression of the cytoplasmic reaction, the fibrous sheath components may possibly be transported from the spermatid cytoplasm into the principal piece.