Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Variation in fertility of two wild type strains of Drosophila melanogaster meigen

  • Published:
Chromosoma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Initial observations of low fertility, reduced sexual activity of males, and a high frequency of abnormalities in sperm differentiation of the wild type strain (Sevelen, Zürich) of Drosophila melanogaster, normally used in this laboratory, have lead to a study of this phenomenon and its causes. The abnormalities occur during all spermiogenetic stages and are not unique but are found with much lower frequency in normally fertile flies (Oregon R). Growth of Sevelen flies at high but sublethal temperatures (30°C) results in complete sterility, highly abnormal sperm differentiation, and a failure to recover fertility after return to normal temperatures (25° C) in the time period in which normal flies recover. — The principal factor, or factors, controlling normal sperm differentiation are located on the Y chromosome, but are thus far not precisely localized. Expression of the phenotype is modified by genetic background in which the Y chromosome is found.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bairati, A.: Struttura ed ultrastruttura dell'apparato genitale maschile di Drosophila melanogaster Meig. I. Il testicolo. Z. Zellforsch. 76, 56–99 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Brosseau, G. E., Jr.: Genetic analysis of the male fertility factors on the Y chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 45, 257–274 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, K. W.: Normal spermatogenesis in Drosophila. In: Biology of Drosophila (M. Demerec, ed.), p. 1–61. New York: J. Wiley 1950.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiefer, B. I.: Ultrastructural abnormalities in developing sperm of X/0 Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 54, 1441–1452 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Phenotypic effects of X chromosome mutations in Drosophila melanogaster. I. Spermiogenesis and sterility in kl 1− mutants. Genetics 61, 157–166 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Development, organization, and degeneration of the Drosophila sperm flagellum. J. Cell Sci. 6, 177–194 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lefevre, G., Jonsson, U.-B.: Sperm transfer, storage, displacement and utilization in Drosophila melanogaster. Genetics 47, 1719–1736 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindsley, D. L., Grell, E. H.: Genetic variations of Drosophila melanogaster. Carnegie Inst. Wash. Publ. 627 (1968).

  • Luft, J. H.: Improvements in epoxy resin embedding methods. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 9, 409–414 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, G. F.: Die Funktionsstrukturen des Y-Chromosoms in den Spermatocytenkernen von Drosophila hydei, D. neohydei, D. repleta und einigen anderen Drosophila-Arten. Chromosoma (Berl.) 14, 207–255 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Die parakristallirien Körper in den Spermienschwänzen von Drosophila. Z. Zellforsch. 62, 762–734 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Spermiogenese in normalen und Y defizienten Männchen von Drosophila melanogaster und D. hydei. Z. Zellforsch. 84, 141–175 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Experimental studies on spermiogenesis in Drosophila. Genetics, Suppl. 61, 79–92 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Phenocopies of Y deficiencies and extraordinary differentiation types in spermiogenesis of Drosophila. In: Comparative spermatology. New York-London: Academic Press 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Hess, O., Beermann, W.: Phasenspezifische Funktionsstrukturen in Spermatocytenkernen von Drosophila melanogaster und ihre Abhängigkeit von Y-Chromosom. Chromosoma (Berl.) 12, 676–716 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Millonig, G.: Advantages of a phosphate buffer for OsO4 solutions in fixation. J. appl. Phys. 32, 1637 (A) (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Peacock, W. J., Erickson, J.: Segregation-distortion and regularly nonfunctional products of spermiogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster.. Genetics 51, 313–328 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Perotti, M. E.: Ultrastructure of the mature sperm of Drosophila melanogaster Meig. J. submicrosc. Cytol. 1, 171–196 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Robb, J. A.: Maintenance of imaginal discs of Drosophila melanogaster in chemically defined media. J. Cell Biol. 41, 876–885 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yasuzumi, G., Fujimura, W., Ishida, H.: Spermatogenesis in animals as revealed by electron microscopy. V. Spermatid differentiation of Drosophila and grasshopper. Exp. Cell Res. 14, 268–285 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Anne W. Koopmans Frankel

    Present address: Department of Zoology, University of Iowa, 52240, Iowa City, Iowa, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Abt. Beermann, Max-Planck-Institut für Biologie, Tübingen

    Anne W. Koopmans Frankel, Ursula Peters & Günther F. Meyer

Authors
  1. Anne W. Koopmans Frankel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ursula Peters
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Günther F. Meyer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Frankel, A.W.K., Peters, U. & Meyer, G.F. Variation in fertility of two wild type strains of Drosophila melanogaster meigen. Chromosoma 34, 113–128 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00285521

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00285521

Keywords

Search

Navigation