TABLE 3.
Structural abnormalities in the flagella of wild-type and Spag6−/− sperma
| Sperm type | Genotype | % Normal flagella (mean ± SE) for:
|
% Flagella lacking central pair (mean ± SE) for:
|
% Flagella with FS and/or ODF alterations (mean ± SE) for:
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spag6+/+ | Spag6−/− | Spag6+/+ | Spag6−/− | Spag6+/+ | Spag6−/− | ||
| Epididymal sperm | MP | 98 ± 2 | 40 ± 15 | 2.3 ± 2 | 32 ± 11* | 0 | 28 ± 4 |
| PP | 99 ± 1 | 68 ± 12 | 0 | 8 ± 6* | 1 ± 2 | 24.3 ± 3 | |
| Testicular sperm | MP | 100 | 77 ± 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 ± 11 |
| PP | 100 | 86 ± 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 ± 3 | |
a
Transverse sections of flagella from wild-type and Spag6−/− sperm were examined by transmission electron microscopy. Each cross-section was scored for flagellar abnormalities (absence of central pair of microtubules or alterations in the fibrous sheath and/or outer dense fibers). Sperm from three wild-type and three Spag6−/− mice was examined. A total of 264 Spag6+/+ and 179 Spag6−/− epididymal sperm and 247 Spag6+/+ and 166 Spag6−/− testicular sperm were examined. *, P < 0.001, chi-square test. MP, midpiece; PP, principal piece; FS, fibrous sheath; and ODF, outer dense fibers.