Lipid Constituents of Human Male Reproductive Cells as Determined by Sudan Black B

Abstract

The sudan black B staining method was used to determine lipid constituents. Organelles which stain blue-black are the mitochondria, the Golgi apparatus, the centrioles, the acroblast, axial fiber, end ring, spiral filament, anterior and posterior end knobs, and granules (impregnasome) in the apex of the mature head. The cell wall, membrane, and nuclear membrane also stain blue-black,and, in some instances are thicker than was indicated by iron hematoxylin stains. The ground protoplasm of the cytoplast and nucleus contains barely discernible particles dispersed within the meshwork, giving color with sudan black B. The cytoplasm and nucleoplasm also contain blue-black condensation particles, some of which may be unrecognized organelles. These lipids may assist the sperm through the ovum wall. Progressive changes in spermatocytogenic and spermiogenic cells are described. This technic may be valuable in evaluating sperm morphologically in fertility studies.