spermatocytal (spermatosital)

[ The protoplasm in each of the two cells of the antheridium (in Salvinia ] contracts and by repeated bipartition divides into four roundish primordial cells ( spermatocytes ), each of which produces a spermatozoid. Goebel , Special Morphology of Plants (trans.), p. 230. 2. The cell whose nuclear chromatin and cell protoplasm become respectively the head and tail of the spermatozoön: synonymous with spermatoblast. Flemming. These spermatocytes may either all develop into spermatozoa (Mammals), or a single spermatocyte may become modified as a basilar cell (Plagiostome Fishes), or a number may form an envelope or cyst around the others (Amphibians and Fishes). Encyc . Brit ., XX. 412. sperm a to gemma (sperm a-tō-jem'ä), n.; pl. sperm a to gemma (-ē). [NL., spermatoblast. See also spermosphere. Encyc. Brit., XX. 412.