ULTRASTRUCTURE OF MAMMALIAN SPERMATOZOA
The ultrastructure of mammalian spermatozoa is highly specialized and consists of several distinct parts
that are designed for the sperm’s primary function of fertilizing an egg. A mammalian sperm is a highly
differentiated cell type which has minimal cytoplasm in order to reduce its size. It consists of two principal
parts, namely head and tail / flagellum. Both these parts i.e. head and tail are surrounded by a continuous
plasma membrane as in all other living cells. The head contains genetic information and an enzyme to
help penetrate the egg cell membrane while the tail or flagellum has the machinery for motility to reach
the egg.
In general, spermatozoa consist of four parts:
i. Head
ii. Neck
iii. Middle piece
iv. Tail
i) Head: The sperm head consist of mainly nucleus and acrosome. It's shape, size and structure vary
greatly in different groups of vertebrates.
Nucleus:The nucleus of the head consists almost entirely of haploid DNA plus nuclear proteins
and thus responsible for the transmission of hereditary character from the male. The nucleus of
the sperm occupies major part of the head and its shape, ultimately determine the shape of the
head of sperm.
Acrosome:At the anterior end of the sperm nucleus occur a cap like structure, the acrosome. The
shape and size of the acrosome vary among different species. The acrosome is bounded by an
acrosomal membrane and it contain acrosomal polysaccharides like galactose, fructose and
hexosamine. A large number of enzymes especially hydrolases are also present in the acrosome.
It contains also two important enzymes such as hyaluronidase and zonalysin or acrosin which
functions during entry of the sperm into the ovum.
Plasma Membrane: Envelops the entire sperm cell and is crucial for interactions with the egg
during fertilization.
ii) Neck: The neck is very short slightly constricted segment made up of projections located between the
base of the head and the first gyre of the mitochondria helix of middle piece. It consists of two centrioles
i.e. Proximal and distal centrioles which are lying one behind the other. The proximal centrioles play a
role in the first cleavage of the zygote. A distal centriole give rise to the axial filament of the sperm.
The centriole acts as a connector between the head and the tail. It plays an essential role in flagellar
development and can also contribute to the zygote's centrosome formation after fertilization.
iii)Middle piece: This piece is cylindrical.
Mitochondrial Sheath: Surrounds the axoneme and provides the energy required for the tail's
motility. The mitochondria are arranged helically around the central core, producing ATP via
oxidative phosphorylation. It consists of many mitochondria tightly coiled on the axial filament.
The mitochondria provide energy for the movement of sperm in the female genital track. Middle
piece, is also called as power house of spermatozoon. The amount of energy available is limited.
If the sperm is failed to contact an ovum within specific period, it exhausts its energy and dies.
Annulus: The middle piece end in a structure called annulus. Behind annulus, axosome is
covered by fibrous sheath.
iv) Tail (Flagellum): It is the longest part of sperm. It is cylindrical and tapering part. It is formed of two
parts, central, contractile and microtubular part called axoneme or axial filament and outer fibrous
protoplasmic sheath.
Axoneme is formed of 11 proteinaceous microtubules in 9+2 manner. The uncovered part of tail
is called end piece. It contains fewer microtubules and is the end segment of the tail. It tapers off
and is less structured than the rest of the flagellum. Sometimes a ring centriole may be present at
the junction of middle piece and Flagellum. The tail shows lashing movement which provide
forward push to the sperm.
