Morphometry of rat germ cells during spermatogenesis.

BACKGROUND

There has never been a study of the components of germ cells as they progress through spermatogenesis.

METHODS

The structural changes taking place in rat germ cells, from spermatogonia to late spermatids, were studied utilizing morphometric techniques conducted largely at the ultrastructural level.

RESULTS

Volume and surface area parameters for virtually all cellular and subcellular features were obtained for nine periods during the spermatogenic cycle. Virtually all germ cell components show dynamic properties associated with specific phases of their development.

CONCLUSIONS

The data provided can be used in an objective way to characterize structural changes taking place during spermatogenesis and to relate those structural changes to functional properties of germ cells.