THE CYTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF GLYCOLYTIC AND OXIDATIVE ENZYMES WITHIN MITOCHONDRIA OF SPERMATOZOA OF SOME PULMONATE GASTROPODS

Abstract

In this electron microscopic cytochemical study, the periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate procedure was used to demonstrate glycogen stores within the mitochondrial derivative of sperm of pulmonate gastropods. In the presence of phenazine methosulfate and tetrazolium salt, enzymatic activity for glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase is shown in the matrix and in the compartment containing glycogen, but in the absence of phenazine methosulfate, tetrazolium reductase activity in the matrix is emphasized. Activity for NADH₂-tetrazolium reductase and succinate dehydrogenase is also demonstrated in the matrix. Using 3,3'-diaminobenzidine tetra-HCl, cytochrome c oxidase activity is shown in the paracrystalline mitochondrial structure. The interrelation between glycolytic and oxidative pathways in this highly compartmentalized mitochondrion is considered.