SPERMATOGENESIS IN THE URODELE AMBYSTOMA-DUMERILII

Abstract

The male reproductive cycle of this paedomorphic species that occurs only in Lake Patzcuaro, Michoacan, Mexico, was investigated by documenting changes in germinal cells during the spermatogenic cycle. Cysts of germ cells divide synchronously to complete spermatogenesis during September through December, with the proportion of evacuated cysts or cysts containing spermatozoa increasing during this period. The chromatin changes during prophase I of meiosis reveal the usual leptotene, zygotene, pachytene, and diplotene stages. A basal body at the caudal end of the spermatozoan head connects to the flagellum. After spermiation, empty cysts contain a granular substance. Spermatogenesis in this species follows an annual cycle like other north temperate salamanders, rather than the continuous spermatogenesis of some tropical salamanders. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.