Phenotype Image Detail

Image

Caption

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses of the stepwise development of the connecting piece in wild-type (WT) and Spata6^{tm1a(KOMP)Wtsi}/Spata6^{tm1a(KOMP)Wtsi} (KO) spermatids. (A) Representative TEM images showing the ultrastructures of step 9-16 spermatids and epididymal spermatozoa in WT and mutant mice. In step 9-10 spermatids, the proximal centrioles (Pc) are present at the caudal end of the nucleus (Nu) in both WT and KO spermatids, and signs of segmented column (Sc) formation are occasionally visible in WT spermatids, but not in KO spermatids. In step 11-12 spermatids, the segmented columns are almost fully developed and the capitula (Cp) are visible in WT spermatids; however, in KO step 11-12 spermatids, the segmented columns and capitulum are either completely absent or only partially formed and severely disorganized. In step 13-16 spermatids, both the segmented columns and the capitulum are fully developed, and the flagellum is attached to the basal plates (Bp) at the implantation fossa. In contrast, in KO step 13-16 spermatids, the segmented columns and capitulum are either absent or only partially formed, often accompanied by misalignment of the flagellum and misplacement of the annulus (An). In the WT epididymis, the sperm connecting piece is well developed and tightly connects the sperm flagellum to the sperm head, and the cytoplasmic droplet (CD) is located at the mid principal junction. In the KO epididymis, sperm heads are rarely seen, and mostly sperm flagella carrying enlarged CDs are present. Interestingly, numerous mitochondria can be seen inside the CDs of KO sperm flagella. (Scale bars: 1 um.) (B) Schematic representation of the stepwise development of the connecting piece in WT and mutant mice based on the TEM analyses.

Copyright

This image is from Yuan S, Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015 Feb 3;112(5):E430-9. Copyright 2015 National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A. J:217662

Associated Alleles

Symbol	Name
Spata6^tm1a(KOMP)Wtsi	spermatogenesis associated 6; targeted mutation 1a, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
Spata6^tm1a(KOMP)Wtsi	spermatogenesis associated 6; targeted mutation 1a, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute

Associated Genotypes

Allelic Composition	Genetic Background
Spata6^tm1a(KOMP)Wtsi/Spata6^tm1a(KOMP)Wtsi	B6J.B6N-Spata6^tm1a(KOMP)Wtsi