Summary
The various types of human primary spermatocytes were classified by means of morphological and morphometrical studies. Based on this classification, the topographic arrangement of the spermatocyte populations in the longitudinal course of seminiferous tubules was determined. This analysis revealed human spermatogenesis be to subjected to a complex local plan of organization, which is based upon the geometry of spirals.
The centers of gravity of spermatocyte populations of subsequent degrees of differentiation are arranged on he lices that are contracted conically to the lumen of the seminiferous tubule. On these helices the centers of gravity of the populations diverge continuously 173.8°+/-32.4°. Populations of the same degrees of development are arranged on helices with constant diameters. On these helices the centers of gravity of the populations diverge continuously 142.6°+/-14.2°.
The present results lead to new aspects of the kinetics and morphogenesis of the seminiferous epithelium, which can be integrated into a comprehensive biological concept.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bronstein IN, Semendjajew KA (1970) Taschenbuch der Mathematik. Harri Deutsch, Zürich, Frankfurt/M., p 171
Burgos MH, Vitale-Calpe R, Aoki A (1970) Fine structure of the testis and its functional significance. In: The testis. Vol I. Development, anatomy, and physiology. Academic Press, New York, London, pp 551–649
Bustos-Obregón E, Courot M, Flechon JE, Hochreau-de-Reviers MT, Holstein AF (1975) Morphological appraisal of gametogenesis. Spermatogenetic process in mammals with particular reference to man. Andrologia 7:141–163
Chowdhury AK (1971) Thymidine-H3 labeling of spermatogonia in rat and human seminiferous tubules mounted in toto. Anat Rec 169:296
Chowdhury AK, Marshall G (1980) Irregular pattern of spermatogenesis in the baboon (Papio anubis) and its possible mechanism. In: Steinberger A, Steinberger E (eds) Testicular development, structure and function. Raven Press, New York, pp 129–137
Chowdhury AK, Steinberger A, Steinberger E (1975) A quantitative study of spermatogonial population in organ culture of human testis. Andrologia 7:297–307
Clermont Y (1963) The cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in man. Am J Anat 112:35–51
Clermont Y (1966) Renewal of spermatogonia in man. Am J Anat 118:509–524
Clermont Y (1972) Kinetics of spermatogenesis in mammals: seminiferous epithelium cycle and spermatogonial renewal. Physiol Rev 52:198–236
Clermont Y, Mauger A (1974) Existence of a spermatogonial chalone in rat testis. Cell Tiss Kinet 7:165–172
Conti C, Fabbrini A (1968) Rilievi istologici, istochimici ed ultrastrutturali sul testiculo normale. In: Gli ipogonadismi maschili. Aspetti strutturali e funzionali del testiculo umano normale e patologico. Edizioni L. Pozzi, Rome, pp 37–64
Courot M, Hochereau-de Reviers MT, Ortavant R (1970) Spermatogenesis. In: The testis. Vol I. Development, anatomy, and physiology. Academic Press, New York, London, p 339
De Robertis EDP, De Robertis EMF (1980) Cell and molecular biology. Saunders College, Philadelphia, pp 400–419
Denffer D von, Ehrendorfer F, Mägdefrau K, Ziegler H (1978) Lehrbuch der Botanik für Hochschulen. Gustav Fischer, Stuttgart, New York, pp 133–140
Eigen M, Winkler R (1975) Das Spiel. Naturgesetze steuern den Zufall. Piper, München, Zürich pp 87–122
Feig LA, Bellvé AR, Erickson NH, Klagsbrun M (1980) Sertoli cells contain a mitogenic peptide. Proc Natl Acad Sci, Vol 77, 8:4774–4778
Gierer A, Meinhardt H (1972) A theory of biological pattern formation. Kybernetik 12:30–39
Heller CG, Clermont Y (1964) Kinetics of germinal epithelium in man. Recent Progr Horm Res 20:545–575
Hilscher B, cited in: Hilscher W (1983) Problems of the Keimbahn. In: Hilscher W (ed) Problems of the Keimbahn. Bibl Anat 24:1–21
Hilscher W (1974) Kinetik der Präspermatogenese und Spermatogenese. Verh Anat Ges 68:39–62
Holstein AF (1976) Ultrastructural observations on the differentiation of spermatids in man. Andrologia 8:157–165
Holstein AF, Roosen-Runge EC (1981) Atlas of human spermatogenesis. Grosse, Berlin, pp 20–85
Hütte (1979) Mathematik. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, p 204
Irons MJ, Clermont Y (1979) Spermatogonial chalone(s): effect on the phase of the cell cycle of type A spermatogonia in the rat. Cell Tissue Kinet 12:425–433
Iversen OH (1981) The chalones. In: Born GVR, Farah A, Herken H, Welch AD (eds) Handbook of experimental pharmacology. Vol. 57: Baserger R (ed) Tissue growth factors. Springer, Berlin Heidelberg New York, pp 491–550
Johnson L, Petty CS, Neaves WB (1981) A new approach to quantification of spermatogenesis and its application to germinal cell attrition during human spermatogenesis. Biol Reprod 25:217–226
Lacy D (1962) Certain aspects of testis structure and function. Br Med Bull 18:205–208
Leidl W (1968) Steuerung und Beeinflussung der Samenbildungsprozesse. Z Tierzüchtung u Züchtungsbiologie 84:273–289
Leidl W, Waschke B (1970) Comparative aspects of the kinetics of the spermiogenesis. In: Holstein AF, Horstmann E (eds) Morphological aspects of andrology. Grosse, Berlin pp 21–24
Meinhardt H, Gierer A (1974) Applications of a theory of biological pattern formation based on lateral inhibition. J Cell Sci 15:321–346
Meinhardt H, Gierer A (1980) Generation und regeneration of sequence of structures during morphogenesis. J Theor Biol 85:429–450
Mitchison GJ (1977) Phyllotaxis and the Fibonacci series. Science 196:270–275
Neider JA, Mead R (1965) A simplex method for function minimization. Computer J 7:308–313
Nikkanen V, Söderström KO, Parvinen M (1978) Identification of the spermatogenic stages of living seminiferous tubules of man. J Reprod Fert 53:255–257
Ohno S (1970) Morphological aspects of meiosis and their genetical significance. In: Rosemberg E, Paulsen CA (eds) The human testis. Plenum Press, New York London, pp 115–125
O'Neill R (1971) Function minimization using a simplex procedure. Applied Statist 20:338–345
Parvinen M (1982) Regulation of the seminiferous epithelium. Endoer Rev 3:404–417
Perey B, Clermont Y, Leblond CP (1961) The wave of the seminiferous epithelium in the rat. Am J Anat 108:47–77
Richter PH, Schranner R (1978) Leaf arrangement. Geometry, morphogenesis, and classification. Naturwissenschaften 65:319–327
Rooij DG de (1980) Effect of testicular extracts on proliferation of spermatogonia in the mouse. Virchows Arch B Cell Pathol 33:67–75
Roosen-Runge EC (1962) The process of spermatogenesis in mammals. Biol Rev 37:343–377
Roosen-Runge EC (1974) Die Spermatogenese im Lichte der Evolution. Verh Anat Ges 68:23–37
Roosen-Runge EC (1977) The process of spermatogenesis in animals. In: Abercrombie M, Newth DR, Torrey JG (eds) Developmental and cell biology series. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, London New York Melbourne
Roosen-Runge EC, Barlow FD (1953) Quantitative studies on human spermatogenesis. I. Spermatogonia. Am J Anat 93:143–169
Rowley MJ, Heller CG (1971) Quantitation of the cells of the seminiferous epithelium of the human testis employing the Sertoli cell as a constant. Z Zellforsch 115:461–472
Russell L, Frank B (1978) Characterization of rat spermatocytes after plastic embedding. Arch Androl 1:5–18
Schirren C (1981) Spermatogonia in oligozoospermia. In: Schirren C (ed) Advances in andrology. Vol 7. Föhringer Symposium: Stem cells in spermatogenesis. Grosse, Berlin, pp 69–76
Schulze C (1974) On the morphology of the human Sertoli cell. Cell Tissue Res 153:339–355
Schulze W (1978) Lichtund elektronenmikroskopische Studien an den A-Spermatogonien von Männern mit intakter Spermatogenese und bei Patienten nach Behandlung mit Antiandrogenen. Andrologia 10:307–320
Schulze W (1982) Evidence of a wave of spermatogenesis in human testis. Andrologia 14:200–207
Schulze W, Rehder U (1983) The local pattern of human spermatogenesis. In: Schirren C, Holstein AF (eds) Fortschritte der Andrologie. Vol 8. II. Föhringer Symposium: Diagnostic aspects in andrology. Grosse, Berlin pp 142–152
Skakkebaek NE, Heller CG (1973) Quantification of human seminiferous epithelium. I. Histological studies in twenty-one fertile men with normal chromosome components. J Reprod Fert 32:379–389
Skakkebaek NE, Hultén M, Jacobsen P, Mikkelsen P (1973) Quantification of human seminiferous epithelium. II. Histological studies in eight 47, XYY men. J Reprod Fert 32:391–401
Solari AJ, Tres LL (1970) Ultrastructure and histochemistry of the nucleus during male meiotic prophase. In: Rosemberg E, Paulsen CA (eds) The human testis. Plenum Press, New York, London, pp 127–138
Steinberger E, Steinberger A (1972) Testis: basic and clinical aspects. In: Balin H, Glasser S (eds) Reproductive biology. Excerpta Medica, Amsterdam, pp 144–267
Steinberger E, Tjioe DY (1968) A method for quantitative analysis of human seminiferous epithelium. Fertil Steril 19:959
Thompson W D'Arcy (1948) On growth and form. At the university press, Cambridge; The Macmillan Company, New York, pp 748–933
Thumann A, Bustos-Obregón E (1978) An “in vitro” system for the study of rat spermatogonial proliferative control. Andrologia 10:22–25
Thumann A, Bustos-Obregón (1982) “In vitro” assay of rat spermatogonial chalone in prepuberal seminiferous tubules. Andrologia 14:35–42
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schulze, W., Rehder, U. Organization and morphogenesis of the human seminiferous epithelium. Cell Tissue Res. 237, 395–407 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00228424
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00228424