Cytological studies of sterile bulls with spermhead abnormality

Abstract

Cytological stvidies did not show any detectable structural changes which could be related to the spermhead deformity in a series of sterile bulls described by Hancock. The deformity according to Hancock consists of a deeply stained (in iron haematoxylin) area placed askew at the apex of the spermhead.In spermateleosis it is connected with persistence of the shallow apical groove of the nuclear membrane observed only in earlier stages of development in normal cases. There is also a formation of vacuoles in the developing spermheads in the region of the apex and of the equatorial belt. The apex of the abnormal spermhead treated with Feulgen reagent appears to be cut off askew.Formation of vacuoles in the developing spermheads may be related to some unknown changes in the nucleic acid metabolism of the spermhead. The absence of any chromosomal aberration, whether of quantitative or structural nature, may lead to the conclusion that the changes observed are due to a gene mutation.