The Degenerate (Apyrene) Sperm-formation of Moths as an Index to the Inter-relation-ship of the Various Bodies of the Spermatozoon

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Abstract
(1) In Lepidoptera degeneration of cell elements take place at all stages of spermatogenesis. (2) Degeneration of the chromosomes just after the second maturation division leads to what has been called “apyrene “spermatozoa. (3) “Apyrene,” “oligopyrene,” and “enpyrene “spermatozoa are not separate kinds in Lepidoptera, but all intermediate stages are to be found. (4) It is suggested that in Lepidoptera these terms lack the significance which has been attached to them. (5) Degeneration may set in just when the cell elements are about to be properly orientated before spermiogenesis, and in such cases the nucleus and head centrosome fail to join. The former sinks down the lengthening sperm. (6) The acroblasts almost always accompany the nucleus and form a normal acrosome. (7) In degenerate spermatids where the chromsomcs fail to join up normally, the macromitosome (nebenkern) may be normally formed, (8) The macromitosome may become normally elongated in sperms in which the nuclei are degenerate. (9) It is suggested that the abnormal sperms are unable to bring about fertilisation. (10) Individual nuclei can be reconstituted from separate chromosomes. (11) At least partial inter-dependence of some cell elements is indicated by degenerate stages. (12) Two centres of force, lodged respectively in the nucleus and in the centrosome, seem to be present.

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