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273 The 'Chromatoid Body' in Spermatogenesis By BHUPINDER N. SUD (From the Cytotogical Laboratory, Department of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy, University of Oxford) CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION 274 DISCOVERY . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274 NOMENCLATURE . . . . . . . . . . . . 276 SHAPE 277 N U M B E R IN EACH CELL 278 APPEARANCE IN LIVING CELLS . . . . . . . . . . 278 STAINING REACTIONS IN FIXED PREPARATIONS . . . . . . . 279 DARKENING BY SILVER AND OSMIUM . . . . . . . . . 280 CHEMICAL COMPOSITION 280 INTERNAL STRUCTURE . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 1 OCCURRENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281 BEHAVIOUR DURING DIVISION STAGES . . . . . . . . . 282 ORIGIN 283 DISAPPEARANCE 284 THE SUPPOSED CHROMATOID BODY IN THE SPERMATOGENESIS OF PLANTS . . . 286 CONCLUSION . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287 REFERENCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287 APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290 SUMMARY The chromatoid body was discovered by von Brunn (1876) in the cytoplasm of the young spermatid in the white rat. It was first described in a marsupial by KorfT (1902), in a vertebrate other than mammals by the Schreiners (1905, 1908), and in an inverte- brate by Bosenberg (1905). The word chromatoide was first used in connexion with spermatogenesis by Benda (1891), who called this cytoplasmic inclusion der chromatoide Nebenkorper. The German authors generally call it der chromatoide Kdrper, the French authors corps chromatoide. Wilson (1913) referred to it as the chromatoid body and it is generally given this name in papers written in English, though the expression 'chromatic body' is sometimes used. It is suggested that the 'residual body' described by Gresson and Zlotnik (1945) is identical with the chromatoid body of other authors. In most species the chromatoid body is spherical or ovoid but in some it assumes other forms as well and in a few it is never spherical or ovoid. The chromatoid body is usually single in each cell, but sometimes there are 2 or 3 and in a few there are many. In living cell the chromatoid body generally gives a low phase-change, and is in- visible or almost invisible when studied by direct microscopy. In the Mammalia, however, it gives a higher phase-change. The chromatoid body is highly resistant to acetic acid. It is deeply stained by basic dyes and basic dye-lakes. It is also stained intensely by acid dyes. The chromatoid body cannot in most cases be blackened by silver or long osmica- tion techniques. The histochemical reactions show that the chromatoid body consists mainly of [Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, Vol. 102, part 2, pp. 273-92, June 1961.]

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Page 1: The 'Chromatoid Body' in Spermatogenesis By BHUPINDE N. SURD · Sud—The 'Chromatoid Body in Spermatogenesis 277 the orders Lagomorpha, Rodentia, Carnivora, and Artiodactyla, and

273

The 'Chromatoid Body' in Spermatogenesis

By BHUPINDER N. SUD(From the Cytotogical Laboratory, Department of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy,

University of Oxford)

CONTENTSP A G E

I N T R O D U C T I O N 2 7 4D I S C O V E R Y . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7 4N O M E N C L A T U R E . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7 6S H A P E 2 7 7N U M B E R I N E A C H C E L L 2 7 8A P P E A R A N C E I N L I V I N G C E L L S . . . . . . . . . . 2 7 8S T A I N I N G R E A C T I O N S I N F I X E D P R E P A R A T I O N S . . . . . . . 2 7 9

D A R K E N I N G B Y S I L V E R A N D O S M I U M . . . . . . . . . 2 8 0

C H E M I C A L C O M P O S I T I O N 2 8 0I N T E R N A L S T R U C T U R E . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 1

O C C U R R E N C E . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 1B E H A V I O U R D U R I N G D I V I S I O N S T A G E S . . . . . . . . . 2 8 2ORIGIN 283D I S A P P E A R A N C E 2 8 4T H E S U P P O S E D C H R O M A T O I D B O D Y I N T H E S P E R M A T O G E N E S I S O F P L A N T S . . . 2 8 6C O N C L U S I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 7R E F E R E N C E S . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 8 7A P P E N D I X . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 9 0

SUMMARY

The chromatoid body was discovered by von Brunn (1876) in the cytoplasm of theyoung spermatid in the white rat. It was first described in a marsupial by KorfT (1902),in a vertebrate other than mammals by the Schreiners (1905, 1908), and in an inverte-brate by Bosenberg (1905).

The word chromatoide was first used in connexion with spermatogenesis by Benda(1891), who called this cytoplasmic inclusion der chromatoide Nebenkorper. TheGerman authors generally call it der chromatoide Kdrper, the French authors corpschromatoide. Wilson (1913) referred to it as the chromatoid body and it is generallygiven this name in papers written in English, though the expression 'chromatic body'is sometimes used. It is suggested that the 'residual body' described by Gresson andZlotnik (1945) is identical with the chromatoid body of other authors.

In most species the chromatoid body is spherical or ovoid but in some it assumesother forms as well and in a few it is never spherical or ovoid.The chromatoid body is usually single in each cell, but sometimes there are 2 or 3

and in a few there are many.In living cell the chromatoid body generally gives a low phase-change, and is in-

visible or almost invisible when studied by direct microscopy. In the Mammalia,however, it gives a higher phase-change.

The chromatoid body is highly resistant to acetic acid.It is deeply stained by basic dyes and basic dye-lakes. It is also stained intensely by

acid dyes.The chromatoid body cannot in most cases be blackened by silver or long osmica-

tion techniques.The histochemical reactions show that the chromatoid body consists mainly of

[Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, Vol. 102, part 2, pp. 273-92, June 1961.]

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274 Sud—The 'Chromatoid Body' in Spermatogenesis

RNA and basic proteins rich in arginine. There is little or no tyrosine. Lipid, carbo-hydrates, DNA, alkaline phosphatase, and calcium are not shown by histochemicaltechniques.

As a rule the chromatoid body is homogeneous but in some cases it has a cortex anda medulla. In many cases it is surrounded by a clear,1 vacuole-like space. Under theelectron microscope it has been seen as an opaque irregular body, as an irregular massof closely aggregated, dense, osmiophil granules, or as a faintly electron-opaque body.

The chromatoid body has so far been recorded in certain species of mammals, abird, reptiles, cyclostomes, Crustacea, insects, and arachnids. In most cases it ap-pears for the first time during the growth of the primary spermatocyte. Its presencein the spermatid has been recorded in practically all cases. With a few exceptions ithas not been found to take any obvious part in the final make-up of the spermatozoon.

The chromatoid body in most cases seems to disappear at the metaphases of meiosisand to be later reconstructed in the daughter cells.

The chromatoid body probably originates from the ground cytoplasm.On the basis of histochemical studies it is tentatively suggested that the function of

the chromatoid body may be to provide basic proteins for the final maturation of thechromatin in the nucleus of late spermatids.

Certain authors have considered that a cytoplasmic inclusion occurring in the young(and in some cases mature) spermatozooids of certain liverworts, mosses, and a'gymnosperm is to be regarded as the homologue of the chromatoid body. Reasons aregiven for denying this supposed homology.

INTRODUCTION

PROMINENT cytoplasmic inclusions of unknown significance have beendescribed under the name of chromatoid bodies in the male germ-cells

of certain mammals, a bird, reptiles, cyclostomes, Crustacea, insects, andarachnids. In its characteristic form the chromatoid body is a large, sphericalor subspherical inclusion in spermatocytes and spermatids. It often appearsfaint in living cells, even when examined by phase-contrast microscopy, butit stains intensely with basic as well as acid dyes and is highly resistant toacetic acid. Generally there is only one in each cell. It does not appear to makeany visible contribution to the final make-up of the spermatozoon.

DISCOVERY

The chromatoid body was discovered in the young spermatid of the whiterat. In this cell it was figured in 1876 by von Brunn (fig. 1), who did not men-tion it, however, in the text of his paper. Hermann (1889) described in theprimary spermatocyte of the mouse a small Knopfchen, stainable with gentianviolet; he distinguished it from the colourless idiozome. This may havebeen a chromatoid body. Benda (1891) studied testicular material of the rat,mouse, cavy, hedgehog, and other •mammals, and distinguished the chroma-toid body in their spermatocytes. Niessing (1897) saw it in the primary sper-matocytes and spermatids of the rat (fig. 2, A, B) and guinea-pig (c, D), and inspermatids of the mouse. Schcenfeld (1900) recorded its presence in theprimary and secondary spermatocytes of the bull (E). Korff (1902) describedit in the spermatid of the marsupial, Phalangista vulpina.

The Schreiners (1905, 1908) were the first to demonstrate the chromatoid

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Sud—The 'Chromatoid Body' in Spermatogenesis 275

FIG. 1. A-D, developing young spermatids of the white rat (copied from Brunn, 1876). Arrowshave been inserted by the author of the present paper to indicate the chromatoid body.

c.chr.

FIG. 2. A, primary spermatocyte (Mutterzelle) and B, spermatid of the rat. c, primary sperma-tocyte (Mutterzelle) and D, spermatid of the guinea-pig (copied from Niessing, 1897). E, pri-mary spermatocyte of the bull (copied from Schcenfeld, 1900). c.chr,, chromatoid body(arrows have been inserted to indicate the chromatoid body in those figures in which the

original author did not label it), c.i., corpuscules intranucleaire. id., idiozome.

FIG. 3. A, primary spermatocyte (copied from the Schreiners, 1905) and B, young spermatid(copied from the Schreiners, 1908) of Myxine glutinosa. B, Sphdrenbldschen. C, chromatoid

body. K, Knotenkorper. p.S., primates Spitzenblaschen,

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276 Sud—The 'Chromatoid Body1 in Spermatogenesis.

body in vertebrates other than mammals. They saw it in the primary andsecondary spermatocytes and spermatids of Myxine glutinosa (fig. 3, A, B),and in the primary and secondary spermatocytes of Bdellostoma burgeri. It wasfirst seen in invertebrates by Bosenberg (1905), who recorded it in the sper-matid of the spider, Lycosa sp. (fig. 4, A), and by Schafer (1907) in the primaryspermatocytes and spermatids of the beetle, Dytiscus sp. (fig. 4, B).

cftt-—,

BFIG. 4. A, spermatid of Lycosa sp. (copied from Bosenberg, 1905). B, spermatid of Dytiscus sp.(copied from Schafer, 1907). ac, akzessorisches Chromosom. chr, chromatoid body (an arrowhas been inserted to indicate the chromatoid body where it was not labelled by the original

author). S, Sphdre]

NOMENCLATURE

The word chromatoide was first used in connexion with spermatogenesisby Benda (1891) in his study of the testis of various mammals. He describedder chromatoide Nebenkorper in the spermatocytes [Mutterzellen). He took theword Nebenkorper from Hermann (1889), who in fact applied it to a complexin which he included the idiozome and centrioles. Benda distinguished, underthe name der chromatoide Nebenkorper a body in the spermatocytes of mammals •that stains with safranine. This is a character that distinguishes it from theidiozome and centrioles. The chromatoid body of modern cytology has noconnexion with centrioles.

Niessing (1897), Lenhossek (1898), Meves (1899), Korff (1902), and Bosen-berg (1905) used Benda's terminology. The Schreiners (1905, 1908) andSchafer (1907) used the expression der chromatoide Korper. The Schreiners,however, used the term die chromatoiden Korperchen for the smaller bodieswhich fuse to form der chromatoide Korper.

Schoenfeld (1900), van Molle (1906), Duesberg (1908,1909, 1911), Regaud(1910), and von Winiwarter (1912) called it corps chromatoide.

Earlier Moore (1893, 1894) called it 'chromatic body'. Austin and Saps-ford (1951) and Burgos and Fawcett (1955) have used the same name. Wilsonin 1913 called it chromatoid body and it is usually referred to by this name inpapers written in the English language.

Fox (1952) figured the chromatoid body in the late spermatids of the gartersnake, Thamnophis, but wrongly named it 'acroblast'.

Gresson and Zlotnik (1945, 1948) in eight species of the mammals from

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Sud—The 'Chromatoid Body in Spermatogenesis 277

the orders Lagomorpha, Rodentia, Carnivora, and Artiodactyla, and Zlotnik{1947) in the domestic fowl, Gallus domesticus, have used the name 'accessorybodies' for cytoplasmic inclusions in the male germ-cells which they considerto be the same as what other authors have called chromatoid bodies. Theseaccessory bodies originate from the localized Golgi material and are argen-tophil (Gresson and Zlotnik, 1945; Zlotnik, 1947) or osmiophil (Gresson andZlotnik, 1948). The term 'accessory body' was first used by Gatenby andBeams (1935) for a structure present in the mammalian spermatocyte. Gatenbyand Beams are inclined to the view that many of the 'accessory bodies' areparts of the spermatogonial Golgi elements which fail to collect together, butthey feel that there is still a possibility that they are something different.Sharma and others (1956) also find that the 'accessory body' in G. domesticuscomes out of the localized Golgi material and, therefore, they conclude that itseems to be a part of the latter. Sud (1955) and Sharma and Gupta (1956) areof the opinion that the chromatoid body is chemically different from the Golgielements. Tobias (1956) has reason to believe that Gresson and Zlotnik (1945)include at least two different categories of inclusions in their class of acces-sory body, and he is of the firm opinion that the chromatoid body is an elementdistinct from the accessory body of Gatenby and Beams. I am inclined to theview that the 'residual body' described by Gresson and Zlotnik (1945) in thewhite rat, Rattus norvegicus albinus, and the Golden hamster, Cricetus auratus,is identical with the chromatoid body described by Moore (1893, 1894),Niessing (1897), Lenhossek (1898), Duesberg (1909), and Regaud (1910) inthe spermatid of the rat. The 'residual body' of Gresson and Zlotnik stainswith iron haematoxylin and acid fuchsine like the 'accessory body', butdiffers from the latter in not being argentophil or somiophil. Further, whereasan 'accessory body' is present in the neck region of the spermatozoon, the'residual body' breaks up in the residual cytoplasm. For the reasons citedabove, the 'accessory bodies' of Gatenby and Beams (1935), Gresson andZlotnik (1945, 1948), Zlotnik (1947), and Gresson (1948, 1950) will not bementioned in the subsequent pages of this review.

SHAPE

The chromatoid body has mostly been described as a spherical or ovoidbody. In the guinea-pig, Meves (1899) and Fawcett and Ito (1958) describeit as an irregularly shaped body, and Gatenby and Woodger (1921) figure itin various shapes other than spherical. In the rat, according to Niessing (1897),the chromatoid body during late stages of spermateleosis undergoes changesin form: it may be rounded or elongated or angular. Lenhossek states that inthe spermatid of the rat the chromatoid body is spherical but sometimeselongated into an ellipsoid, or it may be like two spheres fused together.Duesberg (1908) in the albino rat found in the secondary spermatocyte achromatoid body of irregular form, often bilobed or doubled, and in thespermatid (1909) he saw it as an irregular, lobulated body; but during the latestages of spermateleosis he found that it regularly becomes spherical. In the

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278 Sud—The 'Chromatoid Body' in Spermatogenesis

squirrel, van Molle (1906) found it elongated and twisted in the spermatidbut spherical in the secondary spermatocyte. In Myxine the Schreiners(1908) found that the chromatoid body is usually of irregular form. It is oftendumbbell-shaped or consists of two or three or more spheres, of which one ismarkedly larger than the others and connected with them by fine bridges. Inthe latter condition the chromatoid body appears to be provided with manyprojections turned in the same direction, usually towards the cell peripheryor the nucleus.

In the snake, Natrix piscator, I (Sud, 1955) found that the chromatoid bodywhen it reappears during spermateleosis is at first dumbbell-shaped but laterbecomes spherical. In man, von Winiwarter (1912) found corpuscules chroma-tophiles which might aggregate into a bdtonnet. Pollister (1930) in Gerris(Hemiptera-Heteroptera) states that the chromatoid bodies are usually curvedrods, somewhat sickle-shaped.

NUMBER IN EACH CELL

In most animals there is a single chromatoid body in each cell, but in somecases more than one have been recorded. In the rat, Niessing (1897) figuredtwo chromatoid bodies in the primary spermatocyte, and Lenhossek (1898)and Regaud (1910) recorded one to three, generally two, chromatoid bodiesduring the growth of the primary spermatocyte. In the albino rat, Allen (1918)recorded a double chromatoid body in some metaphases of the primaryspermatocyte; Koller and Darlington (1934) also saw two small chromatoidbodies in the first meiotic division. Duesberg (1908) states that all authorsagree that the chromatoid body of the rat may fragment. In the gerbil, Tatrabrantsii, Tobias (1956) found one or more chromatoid bodies. In man vonWiniwarter (1912) recorded a certain number of corpuscules chromatophileswhich might coalesce to form a bdtonnet. Small additional chromatoid bodieshave been recorded in some cases: one or two in the horse (Wodsedalek, 1914),one or two or more in the snake (N. piscator) and turtle (Lissemys punctata)(Sud, 1955, 1956). In the crayfish Cambarus virilis (Fasten, 1914, McCroan,1940), the crab Cancer magister (Fasten, 1918), Gerris (Hemiptera-Hetero-ptera) (Pollister, 1930), and thelizard Uromastix (Sud, 1957), two large chroma-toid bodies are seen in some stages of spermatogenesis. In the young sper-matid of the spider Lycosa (Bosenberg, 1905) there are one or two chromatoidbodies. In the beetle Dytiscus, Schafer (1907) figures three chromatoid bodiesin one of the spermatids. In Lepisma domestica several deeply staining granuleshave been considered by Bowen (1924) as possibly related to the chromatoidbody, but Gatenby and Mukerji (1929) describe a single large, sphericalchromatoid body in the spermatid of this species.

APPEARANCE IN LIVING CELL

In living material Plough (1917) found that the chromatoid body waspractically invisible in unstained cells. Pollister (1930) also states that thechromatoid bodies are not visible in fresh preparations. According to Austin

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Sud—The 'Chromatoid Body' in Spermatogenesis 279

and Sapsford (1951) the 'chromatic body' in the living rat spermatid, underphase contrast, is darker and generally more compact than the Golgi apparatusand is finely granular. Fawcett and Ito (1958) describe the chromatoid body asa dense mass in living spermatid of the guinea-pig under phase contrast.Gupta (1955), Sharma and Gupta (1956), and I (Sud, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1961a, b) found that the chromatoid body in living cells gives a very low phase-change. I further found that in the snake, N. natrix, the chromatoid body inthe spermatid gives a slightly higher phase-change than in the spermatocytethough it is much smaller, and thus concluded that there is a higher propor-tion of solid material in the chromatoid body of the spermatid (Sud, 1961 b).

Sharma and Gupta (1956) and I (Sud, 1961 a, b) are of the opinionthat the chromatoid body does not take up neutral red, but Plough (1917)found that it appears as a highly refractile pink drop after a rather long treat-ment with neutral red. It is not stained by Janus green (Sud, 1961 a, b).

STAINING REACTIONS IN FIXED PREPARATIONS

The chromatoid body has mostly been studied in material fixed in mixturescontaining acetic acid. The chromatoid body is highly resistant to Bouin's,Carnoy's, and Zenker's fluids and is not even slightly corroded in such pre-parations (Sud, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 19616). Dhillon (unpublished, quotedby Nath, 1957) also found that the chromatoid bodies are not washed out byCarnoy's fluid. Gupta (1955) states that the chromatoid body is highly resis-tant to acetic acid.

It is characteristic of the chromatoid body that it stains with basic dyessuch as safranine (Benda, 1891; Regaud, 1910; Wilson, 1913; Plough, 1917;McCroan, 1940; Sud, 19616) and crystal violet (McCroan, 1940; Tobias,1956; Sud, 19616). I (Sud, 19616) have also been able to stain it intensely byaqueous basic fuchsine, pyronine in the pyronine / methyl green technique(Jordan and Baker, 1955), and cresyl violet in the Nissl technique (Fernstrom,1958). Moore (1894) found the chromatoid body to stain bright red in sec-tions first treated with a mixture of (basic ?) fuchsine and methyl green andlater with orange G to wash out the double stain thus formed. According toLenhossek (1898) it stains with gentian in the gentian / safranine mixture orwith magenta (basic fuchsine). He further states that certain nuclear dyes,such as thionine and methylene blue, do not stain it in spermatocytes. TheSchreiners (1905) in Myxine found that the chromatoid bodies (die chroma-toiden Korper) are formed from chromatoid corpuscles (chromatoiden Korper-cheri) which come out of the nucleus at the beginning of the period of matura-tion of the primary spermatocyte. The chromatoid corpuscles, while in thenucleus or on their way out and while fusing, stain with methylene blue, butthe large chromatoid bodies formed from them stain bright red with eosin inmethylene blue / eosin preparations. The Schreiners (1908) believe that thischange from basiphilia to esinophilia begins already in the nucleus and endsin the cytoplasm. When the chromatoid body moves back into the nucleus in

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280 Sud—The 'Chromatoid Body' in Spermatogenesis

the spermatid stage no change in the staining reaction occurs. Regaud (1910)states that the chromatoid body is coloured by all basic aniline dyes.

In general, the chromatoid body stains deeply with basic dye-lakes. Mostworkers on the chromatoid body, using different methods of fixation andmordanting, have recorded that it takes up iron haematoxylin deeply (Len-hossek, 1898; the Schreiners, 1905; Regaud, 1910; Wilson, 1913; Plough,1917; Pollister, 1930; McCroan, 1940; Bishop, 1942; Sud, 1955, 1956, 1957,19616; Gupta, 1955; Sharma and Gupta, 1956; Tobias, 1956). But Grabow-ska (1929) describes it as an unstained sphere in Hirschler preparations. Regaud(1910) states that haemalum colours the chromatoid bodies in pale violet likethe nucleoli. According to Plough (1917) the chromatoid body and the nucleiboth appear bright purple with Benda's alizarin / crystal violet method.Duesberg (1911) found that the chromatoid body in the guinea-pig is colouredbrown just like the nucleolus by Benda's method. Pollister (1930) also statesthat the chromatoid body stains with alizarin by this method.

The chromatoid body in many cases stains deeply with certain acid dyes,especially acid fuchsine (Meves, 1899; Plough, 1917; Ludford and Gatenby,1921; Pollister, 1930; Sud, 1955, 1956, 1958 19616; Gupta, 1955) and azo-carmine (Sud, 19616). Plough (1917) found that with Auerbach's rubin (acidfuchsine) / methyl green mixture the chromatoid body stains bright red whilethe nuclei are green. Grabowska (1929), on the contrary, describes the chroma-toid body as unstained sphere in Altmann mitochondrial preparations.

DARKENING BY SILVER AND OSMIUM

There are very few accounts of the darkening of the chromatoid body bymetals. In Kolatchev preparations of the testis of Cavia Gatenby and Wigoderdepict the chromatoid body of normal and giant spermatids as a duplexspherical or subspherical structure with a thick dark rim and a clear centralregion. McCroan (1940) found that the chromatoid bodies in the crayfish,Cambarus virilis, occasionally blacken lightly with osmium and silver. Con-trary to these observations, in the reptiles (Sud, 1955,1956,1957,1958,19616)and domestic duck (Gupta, 1955) the chromatoid body does not blacken bysilvering or long osmication techniques.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

Histochemical tests do not show lipid, carbohydrates, alkaline phosphatase,calcium (Sud, 1961 a, b) or DNA (Schrader, 1940; Gupta, 1955; Sud, 1961a, b) in the chromatoid body. Its intense basiphilia is due to RNA (Daoust andClermont, 1955; Sud, 1961 a, b), but probably also in part to acidic groups inprotein (Sud, 1961 a, b). It gives a positive reaction with the mercuric / bromo-phenol blue technique (Sud, 1958). The intense acidophilia of the chromatoidbody indicates the presence of basic proteins (Sud, 1961 a, b). It gives anintensely positive Sakaguchi reaction of Baker (1947) which presumably showsthe presence of protein-bound arginine (Sud, 1961 b).

After deamination the chromatoid body is negative to the Sakaguchi reaction

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Sud—The 'Chromatoid Body' in Spermatogenesis 281

but there is no change in its intense acidophilia. It appears that the acid dyesmust be reacting with basic groups other than —NH2 (Sud, 1961 a, b).

The chromatoid body gives a negative result with the alkaline fast greenreagent of Alfert and Geschwind (1953); this suggests the absence of histones.The negative result with alkaline fast green suggests that the arginine occursmostly as a component of protamines rather than histones (Sud, 1961 a, b).The chromatoid body contains little or no tyrosine (Sud, 1961 a, b).

INTERNAL STRUCTURE

As a rule chromatoid bodies are homogeneous. Niessing (1897), while dis-cussing the chromatoid bodies in the rat and mouse, states that he has oftenbeen able to distinguish in this body a lighter and a darker component. Thefigures of Gatenby and Woodger (1921) and Gatenby and Wigoder (1929)suggest that the chromatoid bodies in Cavia consist of a cortex and a medulla.Roller and Darlington (1934) figure both homogeneous and duplex chroma-toid bodies in the albino rat. Roller (19366) in the ferret, Putorius furio, andmole, Talpa europea, states that the chromatoid body appears to be composedof two differently stained parts. Tobias (1956) in the gerbil, Tatera brantsii,found that the chromatoid body usually possesses a non-staining or lightlystaining core. Wilson (1913) in Pentatoma (Rhytodolomia) senilis (Hemiptera-Heteroptera) frequently found in the chromatoid body more or less definiteindications of a central cavity, with occasionally a sharply stained centralgranule inside it. Moore (1893, 1894) in the rat describes it as a granular mass.Austin and Sapsford (1951) in living spermatids of the rat found the 'chro-matic body' finely granular in texture and generally more compact than theGolgi apparatus (p. 279).

A number of workers have described a clear, vacuole-like space surround-ing the chromatoid body (Bb'senberg, 1905; Schafer, 1907; the Schreiners,1908; Wilson, 1913; Wodsedalek, 1914; Fasten, 1914, 1918; Plough, 1917;McCroan, 1940; Gupta, 1955).

Under the electron microscope, Watson (1952) observed the chromatoidbody in the rat spermatid as an opaque, irregular body, and Burgos and Faw-cett (1955) have described the 'chromatic body' in the cat spermatid as anirregular mass of closely aggregated, dense, osmiophil granules. In Nemobius(Gryllidae) Gatenby and Tahmisian (1959) found the chromatoid body faintlyelectron-opaque. Swift (1956), in electron micrographs of the rat spermatid,found small lamellar arrays associated with the chromatoid body.

OCCURRENCE

The presence of the chromatoid body in the spermatogenesis of differentspecies, as worked out by various authors, is shown in tabular form in theappendix (p. 290). It will be found convenient to have this bird's-eye view ofthe presence or absence, and time of appearance and disappearance, of thechromatoid body in different species at various stages of spermatogenesis.

This table shows that the chromatoid body has mostly been studied in

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282 Sud—The 'Chromatoid Body' in Spermatogenesis

mammals, particularly rodents. Some data are also available from othereutherian mammals, Insectivora, Primates, Carnivora, Perissodactyla, andArtiodactyla. Only fragmentary information is available about Metatheria.Among other vertebrates the chromatoid body has been studied %in thedomestic duck among Aves, in Lissemys, Uromastix, Natrix, and Thamnophis,representing the major groups of Reptilia, and in Myxine and Bdellostomaamong Cyclostomata. In the invertebrates it has been studied mostly in insects'of the orders Thysanura, Orthoptera, Hemiptera-Heteroptera, and Coleoptera.It has also been found in Pardosa and Lycosa among Arachnida, and inCambarus, Potamobius, and Cancer among Crustacea.

From the table it appears that in most cases the chromatoid body appearsfor the first time during the growth of the primary spermatocyte. Its presencein the spermatid stage has been recorded in practically all cases, and with a fewexceptions it has not been found to take part in the final make-up of the sper-matozoon.

BEHAVIOUR DURING DIVISION STAGES

Varied accounts have been given of the behaviour of the chromatoid bodyduring the division stages. Wilson (1913), Wodsedalek (1914), Plough (1917),Roller (1936c), Long (1940), Schrader (1940), and Bishop (1942) find that thechromatoid body is carried through both the meiotic divisions but does notdivide and thus enters only one of the four spermatids. Fasten (1914, 1918)also believes that the chromatoid bodies do not divide and pass as such to thedaughter cells.

According to Lenhossek (1898), in the rat the chromatoid bodies are pre-sent during the first meiotic division and are carried over into the secondaryspermatocytes with increase in size. One chromatoid body is present in eachsecondary spermatocyte and each spermatid. He thinks that the chromatoidbody in the spermatid is perhaps derived from that of the primary sperma-tocyte but is larger in the spermatid. Niessing (1897) also is of the opinionthat the chromatoid bodies in the spermatids of the guinea-pig are derivedfrom that of the primary spermatocyte.

Division of the chromatoid body into two equal parts and the distributionof the latter to the daughter cells at metaphase has been observed during boththe meiotic divisions in Rattus ('Mus') rattus and Cavia by Ludford andGatenby (1921). Earlier, Duesberg in the albino rat (1908) and guinea-pig(1911) found that the chromatoid body appears first in the secondary sperma-tocyte and divides during the second meiotic division. Roller and Darlington(1934) in the albino rat regularly found the chromatoid body at the metaphaseand anaphase of the second meiotic division and sometimes saw it as thoughdividing. In the first meiotic division they observed two much smaller bodiesand believe that the bodies seen at second division might be derived fromthese. Gupta (1955) found that the chromatoid body in the domestic duckdivides into two during cell-divisions. Tobias (1956) in the gerbil, Taterabrantsii, has shown that the chromatoid body is capable of growth, fusion, and

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Sud—The 'Chromatoid Body' in Spermatogenesis 283

division, and that there is a definite genetic continuity of the chromatoid bodyof the primary spermatocyte and spermatid.

Disappearance of the chromatoid body at the time of cell-division and itssubsequent reconstruction has been reported by Schoenfeld (1900) in the bulland by Regaud (1910) in the rat. Schoenfeld records that it disappears atmetaphase I and reappears in the young secondary spermatocyte, from whichit is eliminated. According to Regaud the chromatoid bodies disappear duringthe first meiotic division and reconstruct themselves into a single body in eachsecondary spermatocyte. During the second meiotic division the chromatoidbody reduplicates into granules which divide themselves between the daughtercells.

The Schreiners (1905, 1908) found in Myxine that during the meiotic divi-sions the chromatoid body appears looser in texture and less sharply definedand in telophase becomes sharply defined again; occasionally it is representedby large and small granules. The chromatoid bodies are divided betweenthe daughter cells. In each succeeding generation of cells, from primaryspermatocyte to spermatid, the size of the chromatoid element is reducedto half.

I did not find chromatoid bodies during meiotic metaphases in the turtleLtssemys punctata (Sud, 1956), or in the snake Natrix natrix (Sud, 1961 a, b),though I recorded their presence in the resting primary and secondaryspermatocytes and late spermatids.

ORIGIN

Conflicting views have been expressed as to the origin of the chromatoidbody. Benda (1891) and Regaud (1910) are inclined to the view that thechromatoid body is derived from the nucleus. Moore (1893, l$94) a n d theSchreiners (1905) say definitely that the chromatoid body in their material isformed by the aggregation of particles derived from the nucleus. But Len-hossek (1898) states that the chromatoid body does not consist of ordinarychromatin since characteristically nuclear dyes, such as thionine and methy-lene blue, do not stain it in spermatocytes. Fasten (1918) also found thatnuclear dyes are more easily extracted from the chromatoid bodies than fromthe chromatin of the nucleus.

It is claimed by Ebner (1899), Fischer (1899), an(^ Duesberg (1908, 1911)that the chromatoid body is derived from the nucleolus. Lenhossek (1898)and Schafer (1907) also consider this quite likely. Von Winiwarter (1912), onthe contrary, states that the hypothesis of the nucleolar origin of the chroma-toid body is rendered unlikely by the fact that in man the spermatogonia haveno nucleolus but are provided with chromatoid corpuscles.

Plough '(1917) believes that the chromatoid body in the grasshopper,Rhomaleum, is formed from a specific substance which is a normal inclusionof the cytoplasm of certain somatic and 'apical cells'. This substance is pre-sent in small quantities in the cytoplasm of the spermatogonium and youngprimary spermatocyte of some grasshoppers but increases in amount during

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284 Sud—The 'Chromatoid Body' in Spermatogenesis

the growth period and may collect into one mass, which like any other foreignsubstance in the cytoplasm appears to lie in a vacuole in fixed material.

Wilson (1913) claims that in Pentatoma (Hemiptera-Heteroptera), thechromatoid body originates from the ground cytoplasm and is not derivedfrom centrosome, centriole, acrosome, or extruded nucleolus. In the reptiles,Natrix, Lissemys, and Uromastix, from the reaction of the chromatoid bodyto various fixing and staining media coupled with its study in the livingmaterial under phase contrast, I (Sud, 1955, 1956, 1957) concluded that thechromatoid body appears to be an independent cell structure having a directorigin from the ground cytoplasm. Pollister (1930) remarks that the chroma-toid bodies in Gerris (Hemiptera-Heteroptera) are not related to any othercytoplasmic structure. Tobias (1956) also concludes that the chromatoidbodies in the gerbil, Tatera brantsii, are not formed from any other specificcell inclusion.

DISAPPEARANCE

The chromatoid body can usually not be seen in the ripe spermatozoon.In the rat (Austin and Sapsford, 1951), horse (Wodsedalek, 1914), fox(Vulpes fulva) (Bishop, 1942), domestic duck (Gupta, 1955), and Pentatoma(Hemiptera-Heteroptera) (Wilson, 1913), the chromatoid body is sloughedoff with the residual cytoplasm during spermateleosis. The chromatoid bodyin the spermatid of the crab, Cancer magister (Fasten, 1918), when present,moves to the periphery of the cell and is soon expelled to the outside. In themarsupial, Phalangista vulpina (Korff, 1902), and the beetle, Dytiscus (Schafer,1907), the chromatoid body first resolves itself into granules during sperma-teleosis and these are sloughed off with the residual cytoplasm.

In the albino rat (Duesberg, 1909) the chromatoid body becomes graduallysmaller during the final stages of spermateleosis and then fragments into twoor three pieces, each of which dissolves in turn insensibly in the cytoplasm.But from Regaud's (1901 a, b) description of spermatogenesis of the rat it isevident that in the late stages of spermateleosis the chromatoid body frag-ments into several spherules of unequal size which he calls la substancechromatoide and are homologous with von Ebner's (1888) die tingirbarenKornchen. These again come together to form a single sphere chromatophile inthe discarded residual body and later assume the aspect of une chdtaignee~pineu.se (Regaud, iqoib). Smith and Lacy (1959) also describe decrease innumber and increase in size of the basiphil granules during the late stages ofspermateleosis of the rat and they further state that the greater part of eachresidual body is occupied by a large, eccentrically placed spheroidal mass ofstrongly basiphil material consisting of RNA and appearing as particulatemasses in electron micrographs. They, in conformity with Regaud (19016),found that the residual bodies are phagocytosed by the Sertoli cells. Onreaching the edge of the tubule the limiting membranes of the residual bodyseen by electron microscopy are no more continuous and its basiphil materialand various other components are absorbed, leaving behind an irregularly

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Sud—The 'Chromatoid Body' in Spermatogenesis 285

shaped, intensely osmiophil body which they consider as presumably lipoidal.They consider it possible that the residual bodies produce in the Sertoli cellssome influence which serves to start the changes in the germ-cells and are thusresponsible for the local control of spermatogenesis.

The chromatoid body degenerates and disappears in the spermatid of thespider, Lycosa (Bosenberg, 1905), and this is also its fate in those spermatidsof the crayfish, Cambarus (Fasten, 1914), and the grasshopper, Rhomaleum(Plough, 1917), in which it occurs.

In the reptiles, Natrix, Lissemys, and Uromastix, the chromatoid bodiesremain inactive throughout their existence, not giving any visible proof oftheir participation in the formation of the spermatozoon (Sud, 1955, 1956,1957, 1958). During the late stages of spermateleosis they disappear. In all theabove-mentioned cases the chromatoid bodies do not appear to contributeanything to the final make-up of the spermatozoon.

Moore (1893, 1894) found that the 'chromatic body' in the spermatid ofthe rat, formed by the aggregation of the chromatic particles extruded fromthe nucleus, separates into two unequal parts which are reabsorbed into thenucleus. The Schreiners (1908) state that the chromatoid body in the sper-matid of Myxine passes into the nucleus and becomes divided into very smallparticles which appear to play a role in the condensation of the nuclear sub-stance.

Van Molle (1906) observed the chromatoid body in the spermatid of thesquirrel constantly near the lower edge of the manchette, from the momentthe latter appears. It gets further and further away from the nucleus as themanchette extends posteriorly and simultaneously fragments into granuleswhich lose themselves in the granulations formed during the regression of thecytoplasm. Van Molle concludes that the proximity of the chromatoid body tothe manchette from the moment of the appearance of the latter seems toindicate that it participates in its differentiation.

Tobias (1956) in the gerbil, Tatera brantsii, found that the chromatoidbodies in the spermatid after fusion into a single body gives rise to the neck-rod, establishes contact with the ring centriole, and is plastered on to thelatter. He also noticed an apparent proximity of the fused chromatoid bodiesto the developing manchette, but is doubtful whether this indicates a casualrelation.

Wilson (1925) states that if the chromatoid body has any function this mustbe performed not later than the spermatocyte divisions, since in many casesit is known to enter only certain of the spermatids. He believes that it may beno more than a by-product of other activities and thus a functionless excre-tion which does not contribute directly to sperm formation.

In the reptiles (Sud, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1961 a, b) the chromatoid body re-appears during spermateleosis at the time of condensation and elongation ofthe nucleus, when the histones of chromatin are believed to be replaced byprotamines. The chromatoid body, like the sperm nucleus, is characterizedby the presence of basic proteins rich in arginine but poor in histones. In

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286 Sud—The 'Chromatoid Body' in Spermatogenesis

addition to proteins the chromatoid body contains much RNA and this mayperhaps indicate that it acts as a centre for protein synthesis. On the basis ofthese conclusions it may be tentatively suggested that the function of thisbody is to provide basic proteins for the final maturation of chromatin in thenucleus of late spermatids (Sud, 1961 a, b).

THE SUPPOSED CHROMATOID BODY IN THE SPERMATOGENESIS OF PLANTS

During spermatogenesis of certain liverworts (Schottlander, 1892; Ikeno,1903; Bolleter, 1905; Humphrey, 1906), mosses (Arens, 1907, the vanLeeuwen-Reijnvaans, 1908; Wilson, 1911; Allen, 1917), and a gymnosperm(Hirase, 1898), prominent bodies of unknown significance have been described.In appearance they resemble chromatoid bodies. They were first referredto as die ckromatoiden Nebenkorper by Ikeno (1903) in the liverwort, Mar-chantia polymorpha. Ikeno gave the same name to the body previously seenby Schottlander (1892) in the same species. Schottlander figured this bodystained red after Rosen's staining method (acid fuchsine followed by methyleneblue). In harmony with Ikeno, Bolleter (1905) and Humphrey (1906) in theliverworts, Fegatella conica and Fossombronia longiseta, and Arens (1907, 1908)and the van Leeuwen-Reijnvaans (1908) in the mosses, Mnium hornum andPolytrichum, used the term Nebenkorper. It seems probable that the two corpssphfriques in the Kdrperzelle (first generative cell) of the gymnosperm, Ginkgobiloba (Hirase, 1898), which at the time of division are distributed one to eachdaughter cell {anther ozoide or spermatozooid), are homologous to derchromatoide Nebenkorper of Bryophyta. Ikeno (1903) and Allen (1917) alsosuggested that the corps spheriques of Hirase were probably related to derchromatoide Nebenkorper.

Allen (1917) believed that der chromatoide Nebenkorper described in plantsis different from the one described in the spermatids of certain animals, andhe therefore called it 'limosphere', a term first used by Wilson (1911) for thisinclusion in plant cells. Though the structures described as der chromatoideNebenkorper, 'limosphere', or corps sph&rique may be homologous with oneanother, yet they are chemically different from the chromatoid body of thespermatogenetic cells of animals. Unlike the latter the supposed chromatoidbody of plants is not resistant to various fixatives. It is destroyed by fixationin a saturated solution of mercuric chloride in alcohol, in absolute alcohol, in70% alcohol, or in Merkel's fixative (Hirase, 1898) Further, whereas thechromatoid body of animals is always deeply stained blue-black by ironhaematoxylin, the corps spherique is reported to be stained yellowish brown inthe gymnosperm, Ginkgo (Hirase, 1898). (The 'limosphere' in the moss,Polytrichum, does stain strongly with iron haematoxylin, though not in earlystages (Allen, 1917).) After Rosen's staining method the chromatoid body inthe snake, Natrix natrix, and in the white rat stain pale blue by the basic dye(Sud, unpublished), but in plants (Schottlander, 1892; Hirase, 1898) the sup-posedly homologous body is stained red by the acid dye.

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Sud—The 'Chromatoid Body' in Spermatogenesis 287

CONCLUSION

From what has been said it may be felt that the descriptions of the mor-phology, physical and chemical nature, behaviour during division stages,origin, and fate of the chromatoid bodies in different species or even in thesame species, as given by different authors, are in many cases most diverse.This has led prominent workers, among them Duesberg (1908), the Schreiners(1908), Wilson (1925), and Gresson (1951), to doubt whether all the bodiesnamed as such are of the same nature. In spite of numerous studies it has notbeen possible to formulate criteria for the identification of this body from themorphological, chemical, and physiological standpoint. The study of morpho-logy and behaviour with which practically the entire literature is concernedhas failed to cater for this need. Now the only hope lies in the chemical analysisof this enigmatic body in different animal groups.

I am greatly indebted to Dr. J. R. Baker, F.R.S., for his keen interest,valuable suggestions, and translation of a large number of French and Ger-man papers. I want to thank Professor A. C. Hardy, F.R.S., for accommodat-ing me in his Department. To the Vice-Chancellor, University of Panjab(India), I am grateful for the grant of study-leave.

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of cell nuclei.' Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. Wash., 39, 991.ALLEN, C. E., 1917. 'The spermatogenesis of Polytrichum juniperinum'. Ann. Bot. Lond.,

31 , 269.ALLEN, E., 1918. 'Studies on cell division in the albino rat (Mus norwegicus albinus). I I I .

Spermatogenesis: The origin of the first spermatocytes and the organization of the chro-mosomes including the accessory.' J. Morph., 31 , 133.

ARENS, P., 1907. 'Zur Spermatogenese der Laubmoose.' Inaug. Diss., Bonn.1908. 'Zur Spermatogenese der Laubmoose.' Ref. Bot. Centralbl., 107, 611.

AUSTIN, C. R., and SAPSFORD, C. S., 1951. 'The development of the rat spermatid." J. Roy.micr. Soc , 71, 397.

BAKER, J. R., 1947. 'The histochemical recognition of certain guanidine derivatives.' Quart.J. micr. Sci., 88, 115.

BENDA, C , 1891. 'Neue Mittheilungen iiber die Entwickelung der Genitaldriisen und uberdie Metamorphose der Samenzellen (Histiogenese der Spermatozoen).' Arch. f. Physiol.,physiol. Abt. (no vol. number), 549.

BISHOP, D. W., 1942. 'Germ cell studies in the male fox (Vulpes fulva).' Anat. R e c , 84, 99.BOLLETEH, E., 1905. 'Fegatella conica (L.) Corda. Eine morphologisch-physiologische Mono-

graphic ' Beihefte Bot. Centralbl., 18, 327.BOSENBERG, H., 1905. 'Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Spermatogenese bei den Arachnoiden.'

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BRUNN, A. v., 1876. 'Beitrage zur Entwicklungsgeschichte der Samenkorper.' Arch. mikr.Anat,, l a , 528.

BURGOS, M. H., and FAWCETT, D. W., 1955. 'Studies on the fine structure of the mammaliantestis. I. Differentiation of the spermatids in the cat (Felix domestica).' J. biophys. bio-chem. Cytol., 1, 287.

DAOUST, R., and CLERMONT, Y., 19SS. 'Distribution of nucleic acids in germ cells during thecycle of the seminiferous epithelium in the rat.' Amer. J. Anat., 96, 255.

2421.2 U

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DUESBERG. J., 1908. 'Les divisions des spermatocytes chez le rat (Mus decumanus Pall.,vari£te albinos).' Arch. Zellforsch., 1, 399.

1909- 'La Spermiogenese chez le rat {Mus decumanus Pall., \aniti albinos).' Ibid., 2,137.1911. 'Nouvelles recherches sur l'appareil mitocliondrial des cellules s^minales.'

Ibid., 6, 40.EBNER, V. v., 1888. 'Zur Spermatogenese bei den Saugethieren.' Arch. mikr. Anat., 31, 236.

1899. 'Uber die Theilung der Spermatocyten bei den Saugethieren.' S.B. d. K. Akad.Wiss., math.-naturw. Cl., Abt. 3., 108, 429.

FASTEN, N., 1914. 'Spermatogenesis of the American crayfish, Cambarus virilis and Cambarusimmunis (?), with a special reference to synapsis and the chromatoid bodies.' J. Morph.25, 587.1918. 'Spermatogenesis of the Pacific coast edible crab, Cancer magister Dana.' Biol.

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FERNSTROM, R. C, 1958. 'A durable Nissl stain for frozen and paraffin sections.' StainTechn., 33, 175.

FISCHER, A., 1899. Fixirung, Fdrbung und Bau des Protoplasmas. Jena (Fischer).Fox, W., 195a. 'Seasonal variations in the male reproductive system of Pacific coast garter

snakes.' J. Morph., 90, 481.GATENBY, J. B., and BEAMS, H. W., 1935. 'The cytoplasmic inclusions in the spermatogenesis

of Man.' Quart. J. micr. Sci., 78, 1.and MUKERJI, R. N., 1929. 'The spermatogenesis oiLepisma domestica.' Ibid., 73, 1.and TAHMISIAN, T. N., 1959. 'Centriole adjunct, centrioles, mitochondria, and ergasto-

plasm in orthopteran spermatogenesis. An electron microscope study.' Cellule, 60, 103.DEVINE, R., and BEAMS, H. W., 1958. 'The orthopteran dictyosome. An electron

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guinea-pig.' Proc. Roy. Soc. B, 104, 351.and WOODGER, J. H., 1921. 'The cytoplasmic inclusions of the germ cells. Part IX. On

the origin of the Golgi apparatus on the middle-piece of the ripe sperm of Cavia andthe development of the acrosome.' Quart. J. micr. Sci., 65, 265.

GRABOWSKA, Z., 1929. 'O sktadnikach plazmatycznych (aparat Golgi ego i inn). W komdrkachrozrodczych meskich u raka rzecznego (Potamobius Astacus L.).—Uber die Plasmakom-ponenten (Golgi-Apparat u.a.) in den mannlichen Geschlechtszellen von PotamobiusAstacus L.' Bull. int. Acad. Cracovie (Acad. pol. sci.) Ser B: sci. nat. II (no vol. number),197.

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male germ-cells of certain mammals.' Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinb. B, 62, 137.1948. 'A study of the cytoplasmic components during the gametogenesis of Bos

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ROLLER, P. C , 1936c. 'Cytological studies on the reproductive organs. Chromosomebehaviour in the male grey squirrel.' Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinb. B, 56, 196.and DARLINGTON, C. D., 1934. 'The genetical and mechanical properties of the sex-

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the Golgi apparatus during cell division.' Proc. Roy. Soc, B, 92, 235.MCCROAN, J. E., Jr., 1940. 'Spermatogenesis of the crayfish, Cambarus virilts, with special

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Arch. mikr. Anat., 54, 329.MOLLE, J. van, 1906. 'La Spermiogenese dans l'Ecureuil.' Cellule, 23, 1.MOORE, J. E. S., 1893. 'Mammalian spermatogenesis.' Anat. Anz., 8, 683.

1894. 'Some points in the spermatogenesis of Mammalia.' Int. Mschr. Anat. Physiol.,I I , 129.

NATH, V., 1958. 'Animal gametes. Part I. Typical and atypical flagellate sperm.' Res. Bull.Panjab Univ. India, 95, I.

NIESSING, C, 1897. 'Die Betheiligung von Centralkorper und Sphare am Aufbau des Samen-fadens bei Saugethieren.' Arch. mikr. Anat., 48, H I .

PAINTER, T. S., 1921. 'Studies in reptilian spermatogenesis. I. The spermatogenesis oflizards.' J. exp. Zool., 34, 281.

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POLLISTER, A. W., 1930. 'Cytoplasmic phenomena in the spermatogenesis of Gerris.' J.Morph., 49, 455.

REGAUD, C, 1901a. 'Etudes sur la structure des tubes seminiferes et sur la spermatogenesechez les Mammiferes. (Suite.)' Arch. Anat. micr., 4, 101.19016. 'litudes sur la structure des tubes seminiferes et sur la spermatogenese chez les

Mammiferes.' Ibid., 4, 231.1910. 'Etudes sur la structure des tubes seminiferes et sur spermatogenese chez les

Mammiferes.' Ibid., 11, 291.SCHAFER, F., 1907. 'Spermatogenese von Dytiscus. Ein Beitrag zur Frage der Chromatin-

reduction.' Zool. Jahrb., Anat. Abt. 2, 23, 535.SCHCENFELD, H., 1900. 'La Spermatogenese chez le Taureau (communication preliminare).'

Bibliogr. anat., 8, 74. 'SCHOTTLANDER, P., 1892. 'Beitriige zur Kenntniss des Zellkerns und der Sexualzellen bei

Kryptogamen'. Beitr. Biol. Pfl., 6, 267.SCHRADER, F., 1940. 'The formation of tetrads and the meiotic mitoses in the male of Rhyti-

dolomia senilis Say (Hemiptera-Heteroptera).' J. Morph., 67, 123.SCHREINER, A., and SCHREINER, K. E., 1905. 'Uber die Entwickelung der mannlichen Ge-

schlechtszellen von Myxine glutinosa (L).' Arch. Biol., 21, 183.1908. 'Zur Spermienbildung der Myxinoiden. (Uber die Entwicklung der mann-

lichen Geschlechtszellen von Myxine glutinosa L. III.') Arch. Zellforsch., 1, 152.SHARMA, G. P., and GUPTA, B. L., 1956. 'Cytological studies on the male germ cells of the

spider, Pardosa sp., with observations under the phase contrast microscope.' Res. Bull.Punjab Univ. India, 84, 5.

, and NAYAR, K. K., 1956. 'Spermatogenesis of the domestic fowl, Gallusdomesticus.' Ibid., 93, 139.

SMITH, B. V. K., and LACY, D., 1959. 'Residual bodies of seminiferous tubules of the rat.'Nature, Lond., 184, 249.

SUD, B. N., 1955. 'Studies in reptilian spermatogenesis. I. Spermatogenesis of the chequeredwater snake, Natrix piscator piscator Schneider, with some observations on the spermatidof the krait and cobra.' Res. Bull. Panjab Univ. India, 75, 101.

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290 Sud—The 'Chromatoid Body' in Spermatogenesis

SUD, B. N. 1956. 'Studies in reptilian spermatogenesis. II. Spermatogenesis of the fresh-water turtle, Lissemys punctata punctata Bonnaterre, with observations on the livingmaterial under the phase-contrast microscope.' Res. Bull. Panjab. Univ. India, 86, 31.

1957- 'Studies in reptilian spermatogenesis. III. Spermatogenesis of the spiny-tailedlizard, Uromastix hardwickii Gray, with observations on the living material under thephase-contrast microscope.' Ibid., 116,345.1958. 'A preliminary cytochemical study of the chromatoid bodies in the male germ-

cells of reptiles.' Proc. Indian. Sci. Congr., Part III, 384.1961a. 'Histochemistry and significance of the chromatoid body in spermatogenesis

of the grass snake, Natrix natrix.' Biochem. J., 78, 16 p.1961J. 'Morphological and histochemical studies of the chromatoid body in the grass

snake, Natrix natrix.' Quart. J. micr. Sci., 102, 51.Unpublished.

SWIFT, H., 1956. 'The fine structure of annulate lamellae.' J. biophys. biochem. Cytol., 2,No. 4, suppl., 415.

TOBIAS, P. V., 1956. Chromosomes, sex-cells and evolution in a mammal. London (Percy Lund,Humphries & Co. Ltd.).

WATSON, M. L., 1952. 'Spermatogenesis in the adult albino rat as revealed by tissue sectionsin the electron microscope.' Univ. Rochester Atomic Energy Project, Atomic EnergyReport, UR-185, unclassified.

WILSON, E. B., 1913. 'A chromatoid body simulating an accessory chromosome in Pentatoma.'Biol. Bull., 24, 392.1925. The cell in development and heredity. New York (Macmillan).

WILSON, M., 1911. 'Spermatogenesis in the Bryophyta.' Ann. Bot. Lond., 25, 415.WINIWARTER, H. v., 1912. '£tudes sur la spermatogenese humaine. (I. Cellule de Sertoli.

II. He'tdrochromosome et mitoses de Pepithe'lium seminal.)' Arch. Biol., 27, 91.WODSEDALEK, J. E., 1914. 'Spermatogenesis of the horse with special reference to the

accessory chromosomes and the chromatoid body.' Biol. Bull., 27, 295.ZLOTNIK, I., 1947. 'The cytoplasmic components of germ cells during spermatogenesis in the

domestic fowl.' Quart. J. micr. Sci., 88, 353.

APPENDIX

The occurrence of the chromatoid body

An entry in the form of a line indicates that the author concerned is certain of his orher observation and names the object chromatoid body, chromatic body, der chrotna-toide Nebenkorper, der chromatoide Kb'rper, or corps chromato'ide. Dashes mean that thechromatoid body is not invariably present at the stage indicated; continuous dotsmean that the author is not certain of the observation or the body is equivocally namedKnSpfchen (ref. 2, page 292), or wrongly named acroblast (ref. 45), or provisionallynamed chromatoid body (ref. 35), or only figured and neither named nor mentionedin the text (refs. 1, 30), or is not present as a separate entity (refs. 4, 5, 13, 17, 54). Aninterrupted row of dots indicates that the author is not sure of the observation, and

that the body is not always present at the stage indicated.

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Sud—The 'Chromatoid Body' in Spermatogenesis 291

Spermatogonium

Primaryspermato-

cyte

Secon-dary

spermato-cyte

Sperma-tid

Spermato -Ref.*

OpisthothelaeLycosa sp.Pardosa sp.

MacruraCambarus virilisCambarus virilisPotamobius sp.

BrachyuraCancer magister

ThysanuraLepisma domesticaLepUma domestica

OrthopteraRhomaleum mtcropterumScyllina cyanipesGrasshopperNemobius sp.

Hemiptera-HeteropteraPentatoma (Rhytodolomia)

senilisPentatoma (Chlorochroa)

juniperinaPodisus crocatusCaenus deliusGerris remigisGerris marginatus

ColeopteraDytiscus sp.Chelymorpha cassidea

MyxinoideaMyxine glutinosaBdellostoma burgei

TestudinataLissemys p. punctata

SauriaUromastix hardivickiiLizards

OphidiaNatrix p. piscatorNatrix natrixThamnophis sp.

AnseresDomestic duck

MetatheriaPhalangista vulpinaDasyurus sp.,Sarcophilus sp. and

Phascolarctus sp.Pseudochirus sp., and

Trichosurus sp.Insectivora

HedgehogTalpa europea

PrimatesMan

RodcntiaWhite rat

13. 1717

59. 6045

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292 Sud—The 'Chromatoid Body' in Spermatogenests

Spermatcgonium

Primaryspermato-

cyte

Secon-dary

spermatocyte

Sperma-tid

Spermato-Ref*

Ratlus ('Mus')decumanus var. albinos

Rattus ('Mus')norwegicus albinus

Rattus norvegicus albinoticusAlbino ratRatRatRatRatBrown ratRatRattus {'Mus') rattusRatRatRatMouseMouseMouseTatera brantsii dracoGuinea-pigGuinea-pigGuinea-pigGuinea-pigCaviaCaviaGuinea-pigGuinea-pigSquirrelGrey squirrelCarnivora

Putorius furoFelis dotnesticaCatDogVulpes julva

PerissodactylaHorse

ArtiodactylaPigBull

16, iS

263°46

34, S

67

•References: 1, Brunn (1876); 2, Hermann (1889); 3, Benda (1891); 4, Moore (1893); 5, Moore(1894); 6, Niessing (1897); 7, Lenhossek (1898); 8, Ebner (1899); 9, Meves (1899); 10, Schoenfeld(i90o);u,Korff(i902);i2, Bosenberg (1905); 13, the Schreiners (1905); 14, Molle (1906); 15, Schafer(1907); 16, Duesberg (1908); 17, the Schreiners (1908); 18, Duesberg (1909); 19, Regaud (1910);20, Duesberg'(1911); 21, Winiwarter (1912); 22, Wilson (1913); 23, Fasten (1914); 24, Wodsedalek(1914)125, Plough (1917); 26, Allen (1918); 27, Fasten (1918); 28, Gatenby and Woodger (1921);29, Ludford and Gatenby (1921); 30, Painter (1921); 31, Bowen (1924); 32, Gatenby and Mukerji(1929); 33, Gatenby and Wigoder (1929); 34. Grabowska (1929); 35, Pollister (1930); 36, Koller andDarlington (1934); 37, Koller (1936a); 38, Koller (19366); 39, Koller (1936c); 40, Long (1940);41, McCroan (1940); 42, Schrader (1940); 43, Bishop (1942); 44, Austin and Sapsford (1951);45, Fox (1952); 46, Watson (1952); 47, Burgos and Fawcett (195s); 48, Daoust and Clermont (1955);49, Gupta (1955); 50, Sud (1955); 51, Sharma and Gupta (1956); 52, Sud (1956); 53, Swift; (1956);54, Tobias (1956); 55, Sud (1957); 56, Fawcett and Ito (1958); 57, Gatenby, Tahmisian, Devine,and Beams (1958); 58, Gatenby and Tahmisian (1959); 59, Sud (1961a); 60, Sud (1961*).