Figure 14.

Scheme illustrating the relative changes within the Sertoli cell during the reproductive cycle in the P. sinensis testis. In January (hibernation period) the Sertoli cells contain entotic vacuoles (A); during May (early spermatogenesis), they contain numerous lipid droplets (B); and in October (late spermatogenesis), there are abundant endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, along with well‐developed processes (C). (black spot): tight junctions; (brown red spot): adherens junctions; (silver yellow spot): hemidesmosomes; SC, Sertoli cell; Bm, basal membrane; SG, spermatogonia; DGC, degenerated germ cells; Ev, entotic vacuole; AP, autophagosomes; Ps, primary spermatocytes; Sp, spermatid; L, lipid droplets; M, mitochondria; ER, endoplasmic reticulum.