Cytochemical localization of phosphatases in the germ- and Sertoli cells of Odontophrynus cultripes (Amphibia, Anura, Leptodactylidae)

Ultrastructural cytochemical techniques were used for the localization of p hosphatases in spermatid and spermatozoon, as well as in Sertoli cells of O dontophrynus cultripes (Amphibia, Anura, Leptodactylidae). Acid phosphatase was found in the acrosome. Thiamine pyrophosphatase was observed in the Go lgi cisternae and in the tail spermatozoon surface. Glucose-6-phosphatase w as located in the membrane complex of the acrosomal region. Already, in the Sertoli cells acid phosphatase was located in the lysosomes and glucose-6- phosphatase was observed in association with the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complex. These observations support the idea that various phosphatase s may play some role in spermatid differentiation and in the interactions g erm cells - Sertoli cells during spermiogenesis process.