Comparative Vital Observations on the Atypical Spermatozoa of Cipangopaludina and Semisulcospira by Means of Fluorescence Microscopy

Abstract

Vital observations on the atypical spermatozoa of Cipangopaludina and Semisulcospira, treated with acridine orange, were carried out under the fluorescence microscope. They moved actively emitting a beautiful fluorescence for a long time (Plates 25, 26). Results of the observations are summarized in Table 1. Atypical spermatozoa, at present, are considered to have no fertilization ability. However, one of their functions, if they should exist, is presumably concerned to their powerful motility. From the observations in this experiment, it may be easily supposed that they might be helpful for the typical spermatozoa to be brought together with them in the female genital duct after the copulation.