THE ACROSOME REACTION IN MYTILUS EDULIS

Abstract

The intact acrosome of the Mytilus edulis spermatozoon consists of a conical vesicle, the basal side of which is deeply invaginated so that the whole vesicle forms a sheath around a very slender axial rod, about 2.7 [mu] long, inserted in a tube passing through the nucleus. The annular base of the acrosomal vesical is filled with a homogeneous substance; the outer wall of the vesicle is lined with somewhat irregular layer of a particulate substance interspersed with very fine tubular elements, and its lumen is nearly filled by a strand of material which extends from the inner tip of the invagination to the apex of the acrosome. The lumen of the invagina-tion appears empty except for the rod and a delicate sleevelike structure which surrounds it. The plasma membrane of the sperm cell lies in immediate contact with the acrosomal membrane over its whole outer surface. In its general organization, this molluscan acrosome shows a rather close homology with that of the annelid Hydroides.