Histological analysis of spermatogenesis and the germ cell development strategy within the testis of the male Western Cottonmouth Snake, Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma

Gribbins, Kevin M.; Rheubert, Justin L.; Collier, Matthew H.; Siegel, Dustin S.; Sever, David M.

doi:10.1016/j.aanat.2008.07.003

Cited by 40 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…During the spermatogenically inactive months the basal lamina becomes more scaffolded and the tunic of collagen fibers becomes more irregular. Contrary to mammals which exhibit continuous sperm release, reptiles release sperm in large bursts (Gribbins et al, 2003;Gribbins et al, 2008;Rheubert et al, 2009) and a high influx of spermatozoa and other spermatogenic components into the rete testis would cause the epithelium to stretch and push against the basal compartments.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proximal Testicular Ducts of the Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)

Rheubert

Sever

Geheber

et al. 2010

The Anatomical Record

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The efferent ducts of the Mediterranean Gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus (Gekkonidae) were investigated using light and electron microscopy. The seminiferous tubules unite into a single rete testis tubule. The rete testis divides into 3-4 ductuli efferentes which all drain into the cranial portion of the ductus epididymis. All efferent ducts are most active during the months of December to August. The rete testis is composed of a simple squamous epithelium with bifurcated nuclei and a labyrinthine network of intercellular canaliculi. Ciliated and nonciliated cells are present, and more than one cilium extends from the scattered ciliated cells. The presence of small clear vesicles and widened intercellular canaliculi suggest that cells of the rete testis are responsible for intake of luminal fluids. The ductuli efferentes are composed of a simple cuboidal epithelium consisting of ciliated and nonciliated cells, and ciliated cells are the dominant cell type. During the inactive season the number of lysosomes increases and the cells become spermiophagic. The ductus epididymis is composed of a tall pseudostratified columnar epithelium with relatively scarce basal cells. No evidence for regionalization was observed. The ductus epididymis is highly secretory during the active season with numerous electron-dense secretory granules, whose glycoprotein products are released by merocrine secretion. Basally, the active epididymis has swollen intercellular canaliculi and enlarged cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum. During the inactive season the secretory activity decreases and membranous structures and fibrous material are observed within widened intercellular canaliculi apical to the basal cells. Anat Rec, 293:2176Rec, 293: -2192

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proximal Testicular Ducts of the Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)

Rheubert

Sever

Geheber

et al. 2010

The Anatomical Record

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“…The average seminiferous tubule diameter was 218.36 § 5.17 mm and average germinal epithelium height was 54.6205 § 8.36 mm. Seminiferous tubule diameter and germinal epithelium height from the present study were plotted in Figure 3 of Gribbbins et al 1 and resulted in 2 definitive peaks that were representative of the bimodal spermatogenic cycle of Agkistrodon pisicivorus from southeastern Louisiana (Fig. 2).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Seminiferous tubule diameter and germinal epithelium height were recorded for 10 individual, round, seminiferous tubules per animal. The presence of different germ cell stages in the germinal epithelium was assessed, using criteria based on germ cell morphology presented by Gribbins et al 1 …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This induced stress might have caused the individual collected post-hurricane Katrina to terminate spermatogenesis in response to changes in hormone levels. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to reevaluate individual Cottonmouths during the month of September in order to determine if Cottonmouths are spermatogenically active during this time and, thus, support bimodal spermatogenesis as proposed by Gribbins et al 1 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Gribbins et al 1 described the germ cell development strategy and the spermatogenic cycle of the cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus, from Louisiana. From the data collected on testicular histology and morphometric analysis of the seminiferous tubules they found that there were 3 major peaks of spermatogenesis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Agkistrodon piscivorusspermatogenesis addendum: The effect of Hurricane Katrina on spermatogenesis of the western cottonmouth snake

et al. 2014

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Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis in the Cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus (Squamata: Viperidae: Crotalinae)

Gribbins

Rheubert

Anzalone

et al. 2009

Journal of Morphology

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To date multiple studies exist that examine the morphology of spermatozoa. However, there are limited numbers of data detailing the ontogenic characters of spermiogenesis within squamates. Testicular tissues were collected from Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) and tissues from spermiogenically active months were analyzed ultrastructurally to detail the cellular changes that occur during spermiogenesis. The major events of spermiogenesis (acrosome formation, nuclear elongation/DNA condensation, and flagellar development) resemble that of other squamates; however, specific ultrastructural differences can be observed between Cottonmouths and other squamates studied to date. During acrosome formation vesicles from the Golgi apparatus fuse at the apical surface of the nuclear membrane prior to making nuclear contact. At this stage, the acrosome granule can be observed in a centralized location within the vesicle. As elongation commences the acrosome complex becomes highly compartmentalized and migrates laterally along the nucleus. Parallel and circum-cylindrical microtubules (components of the manchette) are observed with parallel microtubules outnumbering the circum-cylindrical microtubules. Flagella, displaying the conserved 9 + 2 microtubule arrangement, sit in nuclear fossae that have electron lucent shoulders juxtaposed on either side of the spermatids basal plates. This study aims to provide developmental characters for squamates in the subfamily Crotalinae, family Viperidae, which may be useful for histopathological studies on spermatogenesis in semi-aquatic species exposed to pesticides. Furthermore, these data in the near future may provide morphological characters for spermiogenesis that can be added to morphological data matrices that may be used in phylogenetic analyses.

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Histological analysis of spermatogenesis and the germ cell development strategy within the testis of the male Western Cottonmouth Snake, Agkistrodon piscivorus leucostoma

Cited by 40 publications

References 29 publications

Proximal Testicular Ducts of the Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)

Proximal Testicular Ducts of the Mediterranean Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)

Agkistrodon piscivorusspermatogenesis addendum: The effect of Hurricane Katrina on spermatogenesis of the western cottonmouth snake

Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis in the Cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus (Squamata: Viperidae: Crotalinae)

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