Local desynchronization of cellular development within mammalian male germ cell clones

Mammalian male germ cells go through the process of spermatogenesis as cell clones. The members of a clone are joined by intercellular bridges which are responsible for synchronizing the spermatogenetic process. The present ultrastructural study on pubertal and adult golden hamster and mouse testes, however, demonstrates that a strict synchronization of germ cell development is not attained by this clonal association in any single instance. Local desynchronization is either indicated by intraclonal divergence at the stage of the cell cycle of the respective germ cells or it is manifested in clones in which single cells are affected by degeneration while other members of the clone are not. The results are discussed with a view to a possible significance of intraclonal desynchronization of male germ cell development in local impairment of spermatogenesis and loss of germ cells.