Acrosome reaction in spermatozoa of the hagfish Eptatretus burgeri (Agnatha)

Author: Morisawa, Sachiko

Source: Development Growth & Differentiation, Volume 41, Number 1, February 1999 , pp. 109-112(4)

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Abstract:

Fertilization of the hagfish or myxiniformes, a member of the most primitive vertebrate group and an animal of phylogenic interest, is unknown. Here, induction of an acrosome reaction for spermatozoa in the hagfish, Eptatretus burgeri, was successfully achieved by treatment of mature spermatozoa with ionomycin and excess Ca²⁺. The spermatozoon produced an acrosomal process that elongated from the apex of the long sperm head. The reaction bears resemblance to that of invertebrate spermatozoa rather than that of vertebrate spermatozoa. The result provides insights into the phylogenetical changes that have occurred in this sperm reaction.

Keywords: acrosome reaction; Agnatha; hagfish; sperm

Document Type: Original article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-169x.1999.00411.x

Affiliations: 1: Biological Laboratory, St Marianna University, School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae, Kawasaki 216-8511, Japan.

Publication date: 1999-02-01