| Popis: |
The present study describes the morphology and histological functions of the testes and vas deferens of Spiralotelphusa hydrodroma. The morphohistological of this fresh water crab is presented, with a detailed analysis of the histology of the regional structure of the testis and vas deferens. The H-shaped testis is subdivided into three distinct parts: anterior, iintermediate and posterior. The vas deferens is continuous with the posterior part of the testis, ends at the ejaculatory duct , and is subdivided into three distinct regions: proximal, medial and distal. The anterior part of the testis exhibits convoluted lobules including seminiferous tubules. Whereas the intermediate part of the testis has a simple columnar epithelium, the posterior part of the testis has a simple squamous epithelium. In the proximal and medial regions of the vas deferens, there is a simple cubic epithelium, while in the distal region of the vas deferens there is a high columnar epithelium. Spermatophores are first formed in the convoluted proximal region of the vasdeferens and are encapsulated by mainly protein secretions in the distal region. These results suggest that the testis and vas deferens of Spiralotelphusa hydrodroma show similarity to the testis and vasdeferens of other brachyuran crabs except for some slight differences. Spermatophores were observed in both vasdeferens regions suggesting that they participated in the maturation of the spermatozoids preparing the male functionally for fertilization. |
