On mammalian sperm dimensions

Cummins, Jim; Woodall, P. F.

doi:10.1530/jrf.0.0750153

Cited by 314 publications

(255 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Early studies of mammals suggested that much of the variation in sperm size was associated with variation in body size (Cummins 1983;Cummins & Woodall 1985). More recent analyses have shown that the putative relationship between body size and sperm size is not robust to phylogenetic control (Hosken 1997;Gage 1998).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm competition and the evolution of gamete morphology in frogs

Byrne

Simmons²,

Roberts³

2003

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

148

146

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Despite detailed knowledge of the ultrastructure of spermatozoa, there is a paucity of information on the selective pressures that influence sperm form and function. Theoretical models for both internal and external fertilizers predict that sperm competition could favour the evolution of longer sperm. Empirical tests of the external-fertilization model have been restricted to just one group, the fishes, and these tests have proved equivocal. We investigated how sperm competition affects sperm morphology in externally fertilizing myobatrachid frogs. We also examined selection acting on egg size, and covariation between sperm and egg morphology. Species were ranked according to probability of group spawning and hence risk of sperm competition. Body size, testis size and oviposition environment may also influence gamete traits and were included in our analyses. After controlling for phylogenetic relationships between the species examined, we found that an increased risk of sperm competition was associated with increased sperm head and tail lengths. Path analysis showed that sperm competition had its greatest direct effect on sperm tail length, as might be expected under selection resulting from competitive fertilization. Sperm competition did not influence egg size. Oviposition location had a strong influence on egg size and a weak influence on sperm length, with terrestrial spawners having larger gametes than aquatic spawners. Our analysis revealed significant correlated evolution between egg morphology and sperm morphology. These data provide a conclusive demonstration that sperm competition selects for increased sperm length in frogs, and evidence for evolutionary covariance between aspects of male and female gamete morphology.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sperm competition and the evolution of gamete morphology in frogs

Byrne

Simmons²,

Roberts³

2003

Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B

148

146

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“…Sperm cells are very diverse in size and shape among mammals (Cummins & Woodall, 1985). Spermatozoon consists of head and tail.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tendency to find a key to recognition of cryptic species in rodents, for a long time attracts attention of mammalogists to investigation of reproductive system, including spermatozoa structure (Meyer et al, 1972(Meyer et al, , 1996Aksenova, 1978;Malygin, 1983;Cummins & Woodall, 1985;Breed, 2004). The only representative of the subgenus Sumeriomys Argyropulo, 1933, whose accessory sex glands has been investigated is Microtus socialis nikolajevi Ognev, 1950(Aksenova, 1973.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The spermatozoa structure peculiarities of the subgenus Sumeriomys (Rodentia, Arvicolinae, Microtus)

Zorenko¹,

Golenishchev²

2015

Rus.J.Theriol.

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ABSTRACT. Owing to distinct differences in size and shape in different taxa, spermatozoa can be of a high diagnostic value. The functional and evolutionary nature of such diversity is poorly understood. The purpose of the study was to summarize the data on the differences in sperm design and linear parameters between the subgenera Sumeriomys and Microtus (the genus Microtus) and to carry out the same comparison between the "socialis" and "guentheri" groups of species within the subgenus Sumeriomys. We obtained the data on shape and size of spermatozoa in seven nominal forms of the subgenus Sumeriomys. The species of the subgenus Sumeriomys are quite similar in sperm design, which distinctly differs from that in the representatives of the subgenus Microtus. The spermatozoa of the Sumeriomys species also differ from those of the Microtus representatives in some linear measurements and quantitative indices. These data confirm the taxonomic distinctness of the social voles as an independent subgenus Sumeriomys. Within the subgenus Sumeriomys some essential differences were revealed in sperm dimensions. The largest spermatozoa are observed in the species of the "guentheri" group, especially in M. guentheri (a head length 7.60 µκ). In M. hartingi they are slightly smaller in size (in two subspecies correspondingly 6.96 and 7.25 mk). In three nominal forms of the "socialis" group the spermatozoa are smaller (a head length 7.01-7.21 µκ), than in the "guentheri" group. The ratio of head length to its width in M. guentheri and M. hartingi is respectively 1.5 and 1.46, while in the "socialis" group, 1.42-1.47. In voles of the subgenus Microtus it is 1.8-2.4. The length of the medium part of spermatozoon's tail is the most variable character. The ratio of the sperm tail medium part length to head length in Microtus is higher than 2.8 (2.8-3.2), but in Sumeriomys it is lower than 2.8 (2.4-2.7). Особенности строения сперматозоидов у общественных полевок подрода Sumeriomys (Rodentia, Arvicolinae, Microtus) Т.А. Зоренко, Ф.Н. Голенищев РЕЗЮМЕ. Сперматозоиды у представителей разных таксонов отличаются по форме и размерам и, поэтому, могут иметь большую диагностическую ценность. Причины и пути возникновения этого разнообразия не ясны. Цель работы -сравнить между собой морфологию и линейные размеры сперматозоидов у видов полевок подродов Sumeriomys и Microtus (род Microtus), а также сравнить в пределах подрода Sumeriomys две группы "socialis" и "guentheri". Были получены данные по форме и размерам сперматозоидов у пяти номинальных форм подрода Sumeriomys. Форма сперма-тозоида сходна у всех изученных видов подрода Sumeriomys, но хорошо отличается от таковой полевок подрода Microtus. Между сперматозоидами представителей этих подродов также отмечены различия по линейным показателям и количественным индексам. Все это соответствует выделению общественных полевок в самостоятельный подрод Sumeriomys. Основные отличия были выявлены в размерах сперматозоидов. Наиболее крупные сперматозоиды обнаружены у видов группы "guentheri", в особеннос...

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“…These two parameters were used to distinguish between human, rodent, or rabbit sperm at light microscopy level [2,6,9,12]. However, intra-and inter-specific comparisons have to use more subtle differences that can only be obtained by ultrastructural and detailed morphometry.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Detailed studies of Mexican endemic lagomorphs sperm are scarce and restricted to the light microscopy resolution [1,6]. This is the case of the studies of Romerolagus diazi, known as teporingo, zacatuche, or volcano rabbit, an endemic lagomorph inhabiting the Transversal Volcanic Axis hills of Mexico, well above the 3000 meters above sea level [22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ultrastructural Morphology and Morphometry of Epididymal Sperm in the Volcano Rabbit (Romerolagus Diazi)

Contreras

Fierro

2004

Archives of Andrology

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Sperm characteristics of Romerolagus diazi, an endemic endangered rabbit from Mexico's Higlands, are poorly known. Knowledge of gamete characteristics are urged for any conservationoriented strategy and morphometry-based taxonomical database. Sperm lagomorph comparisons have been made at light microscopy resolution. Our goal was to analyze the ultrastructure of the R. diazi male gamete. Two wild animals were kept in captivity and the epididymus were obtained. Fixed gametes show a characteristic spatula-like morphology with a dilated forefront. The nucleus has an arrow head morphology lightly thicker at the base. Tail ultrastructure is similar to that of laboratory rabbits with an end piece thicker than that of human sperm. Morphometry data could be used for construction of a male gamete data base for further studies.

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On mammalian sperm dimensions

Cited by 314 publications

References 41 publications

Sperm competition and the evolution of gamete morphology in frogs

Sperm competition and the evolution of gamete morphology in frogs

The spermatozoa structure peculiarities of the subgenus Sumeriomys (Rodentia, Arvicolinae, Microtus)

Ultrastructural Morphology and Morphometry of Epididymal Sperm in the Volcano Rabbit (Romerolagus Diazi)

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