Abstract
Lepidoptera males bear two kinds of meiotic divisions. One is regular (eupyrene) and leads to nucleate, fertilizing spermatozoa. The other (apyrene) shows metaphase I chromosomes clumping together into irregular masses which later split forming daughter cells with unbalanced sets of chromosomes which are eventually extruded from the cells; hence, the spermatids develop into anucleate spermatozoa of unknown function. The apyrene divisions are induced by a haemolymph factor which becomes functional towards pupation. Using incorporation of tritiated thymidine at the premeiotic S-phase as a marker for timing, it was found that the prophase of the apyrene spermatocyte is shorter than that of the eupyrene spermatocyte. It is proposed that meiosis-specific proteins cannot be synthesized during the shortened apyrene prophase and that this is correlated with the irregular chromosome behaviour during the subsequent metaphase-telophase of these spermatocytes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Dumser JB (1980) The regulation of spermatogenesis in insects. Annu Rev Entomol 25:341–369
Friedländer M (1982) Juvenile hormone regulation of dichotomous spermatogenesis during the larval diapause of the codling moth. J Insect Physiol 28:1009–1012
Friedländer M, Benz G (1981) The eupyrene-apyrene dichotomous spermatogenesis of Lepidoptera. Organ culture study on the timing of apyrene commitment in the codling moth. Int J Invertebr Reprod 3:113–120
Friedländer M, Hauschteck-Jungen E (1982) The regular divisions of the spermatocytes as related to a meiotic lysine-rich protein fraction. A study on the dichotomous male meiosis of Lepidoptera. Chromosoma 85:109–118
Friedländer M, Miesel S (1977) Spermatid anucleation during the normal atypical spermatogenesis of the warehouse moth Ephestia cautella. J Submicrosc Cytol 9:173–185
Friedländer M, Wahrman J (1970) The spindle as a basal body distributor. A study in the meiosis of the male silkworm Bombyx mori. J Cell Sci 7:65–89
Jans P, Benz G, Friedländer M (1984) Apyrene-spermatogenesisinducing factor is present in the haemolymph of male and female pupae of the codling moth. J Insect Physiol 30:495–497
Hotta Y, Tabata S, Stern H (1984) Replication and nicking of zygotene DNA sequences. Control by a meiosis-specific protein. Chromosoma 90:243–253
Huber J, Benz G, Schmid K (1972) Zuchtmethode und semisynthetische Nährmedien für Apfelwicker. Experientia 28:1260–1261
Kawaguchi E (1928) Zytologische Untersuchungen am Seidenspinner und seinen Verwandten. I. Gametogenese von Bombyx mori L. und Bombyx mandarina M. und ihrer Bastarde. Z Zellforsch 7:519–522
Leviatan R, Friedländer M (1979) The eupyrene-apyrene dichotomous spermatogenesis of Lepidoptera. I. The relationship with postembryonic development and the role of the decline in juvenile hormone titer towards pupation. Dev Biol 68:515–524
Machida J (1929) Eine experimentelle Untersuchung über die apyrenen Spermatozoen des Seidenspinners Bombyx mori L. Z Zellforsch 9:466–510
Meves F (1903) Über oligopyrene und apyrene Spermien und über ihre Entstehung nach Beobachtungen an Paludina und Pygera. Arch Mikrosk Anat Entw Mech 61:1–83
Silberglied RE, Shepherd JG, Dickinson JL (1984) Eunuchs: the role of apyrene sperm in Lepidoptera? Am Nat 123:255–265
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Friedländer, M., Hauschteck-Jungen, E. Regular and irregular divisions of Lepidoptera spermatocytes as related to the speed of meiotic prophase. Chromosoma 93, 227–230 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00292742
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00292742