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Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2021

Seminiferous epithelium cycle staging based on the development of the acrosome in ram testis

Sturm, Sabina; Svara, Tanja; Sporndly-Nees, Ellinor; Cerkvenik-Flajs, Vesna; Gombac, Mitja; Weber, Anna-Luisa; Weber, Klaus

Abstract

Testicular histopathology is considered the most sensitive and reliable method to detect the effects of chemicals on sperm production. To carry out a sensitive examination of testicular histopathology and interpret the changes require knowledge of spermatogenic stages. Spermatogenic staging based on acrosome development during spermiogenesis is conventionally performed in animal species routinely used for research and toxicity testing. In contrast, small ruminants, such as sheep and goats, are rarely used as animal models to evaluate toxicity in male reproductive organs. To the best of our knowledge, a comparable spermatogenic staging system in rams has not yet been fully characterised. Hence, this study aimed to adapt the existing spermatogenic staging based on acrosome development in bull testes to fit the seminiferous epithelium cycle of ram testes. The results show that spermatogenic staging based on acrosome development in bull testes can, with slight modifications, be efficiently used for the staging of ram testes.

Keywords

ram; spermatogenesis; staging; acrosome development; spermiogenesis

Published in

Journal of toxicologic pathology
2021, volume: 34, number: 4, pages: 331-338
Publisher: JAPANESE SOC TOXICOLOGIC PATHOLOGY

Authors' information

Sturm, Sabina
University of Ljubljana
Svara, Tanja
University of Ljubljana
Cerkvenik-Flajs, Vesna
University of Ljubljana
Gombac, Mitja
University of Ljubljana
Weber, Anna-Luisa
AnaPath Services
Weber, Klaus
AnaPath Serv GmbH

UKÄ Subject classification

Pathobiology

Publication Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1293/tox.2021-0025

URI (permanent link to this page)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/114268