An ultrastructural analysis of the mature spermatozoon of Anguispira alternata (say) (pulmonata, stylommatophora).

Mature spermatozoa from the hermaphroditic duct of adult snails were examined using various techniques of light microscopy as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The sperm are approximately 557 μm in length including a dextrally spiral head approximately 13 μm long. The head consists of an electron-dense nucleus sculptured into a double-ridged spiral and an acrosome projecting approximately 0.45 μm beyond the apex of the nucleus. The acrosome consists of a membrane-bound vesicle approximately 0.1 μm in diameter and a column of homogeneous material which extends along one side of the terminal spiral of the nucleus. This material is separated from the nucleus by the nuclear envelope. The neck region, though similar to that found in other pulmonates, possesses a unique coiled structure surrounding the central doublet of the axoneme. The midpiece axoneme possesses a 9+9+2 configuration anteriorly grading into a 9+2 pattern for the majority of its length. There are three mitochondrial helices - one primary and two secondary - in the midpiece. Only the primary helix persists throughout the midpiece.