Formation of chromatoid body during rat spermatogenesis.

In this study the formation of the chromatoid body during rat spermatogenesis was studied by electron microscopy. The formation of the chromatoid body was divided into three stages: the mitochondrial stage, the condensing stage and the maturing stage. During meiotic prophase there were seen similar pores in the nuclear envelope close to the chromatoid body as have previously been described in the early spermatids. It is suggested that through these pores material that participates in the formation of the chromatoid body, passes from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. This material is first located close to mitochondria where it forms the mitochondrial stage chromatoid body. During late pachytene the intermitochondrial material begins to accumulate and forms several condensing stage chromatoid bodies. These are present in the cells during the meiotic divisions and appear to be evenly distributed to the spermatids. In the spermatids the final maturation of the chromatoid body occurs.