PHASE-CONTRAST AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDIES ON THE NEBENKERN, A MITOCHONDRIAL BODY IN THE SPERMATIDS OF THE GRASSHOPPER

Abstract

The nebenkern of grasshopper spermatids arises by the fusion of mitochondria. The mature Nebenkern is composed of concentric lamellae about 400 A in thickness. Some appear to be composed of double membranes. The lamellae are arranged like the layers in an onion and they alternate with layers of matrix. As the spermatid transform''s into a spermatozoon the Nebenkern loses its lamellar structure, divides, and its two halves elongate down the middle piece of the developing sperm. Some spermatids contain diffuse vesiculated bodies (endoplasmic reticulum) which are believed to be basophilic material. Other spermatids show large bodies composed of lamellae which are thought to represent a collection into one body of the basophilic material.