Summary
Electron microscopical and autoradiographic methods demonstrate that the secretion vesicles (SV), which are condensed by the Golgi-complexes of the follicle cells of the Colorado beetle, contain proteins which can be labelled with 3H-leucine. The labelled proteins are transported to the oocyte during vitellogenesis. At the end of yolk deposition, a few SV, situated just above the microvilli, disintegrate and give rise to the two layers of the vitelline membrane (VM). During the laying down of the VM or perhaps at a slightly earlier stage a layer is deposited beneath the basement membrane of the follicle cells. This layer may be important in inducing the formation of the egg membranes. Once the VM has formed, the follicle cells degenerate completely. The chorionic inner layer arises from the breakdown of SV, while the chorionic outer layer is formed from the degenerated follicle cells.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Beams, H. W., Kessel, R. G.: Synthesis and deposition of oöcyte envelopes (vitelline membrane, chorion) and the uptake of yolk in the dragonfly (Odonata: Aeschnidae). J. Cell Sci. 4, 241–264 (1969).
De Loof, A., Lagasse, A.: The ultrastructure of the follicle cells in relation to yolk deposition in the Colorado beetle. J. Ins. Physiol. 16, 211–220 (1970).
—, De Wilde, J.: The relation between haemolymph proteins and vitellogenesis in the Colorado beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say. J. Ins. Physiol. 16, 157–169 (1970).
Favard-Séréno, D.: Rôle de l'appareil de Golgi dans la secrétion du chorion de l'œuf chez le Grillon (Insecte, Orthoptère). In: Electron microscopy, vol. II (ed. E. Uyeda), p. 553–554. Tokyo: Maruzen 1966.
Hopkins, C. R., King, P. E.: An electron microscopical and histochemical study of the oöcyte periphery in Bombus terrestris during vitellogenesis. J. Cell Sci. 1, 201–216 (1966).
King, R. C., Koch, E. A.: Studies on the ovarian follicle cells of Drosophila. Quart. J. micr. Sci. 104, 297–320 (1963).
Okada, E., Waddington, C. H.: The submicroscopic structure of the Drosophila egg. J. Embryol. exp. Morph. 7, 583–597 (1959).
Raven, C.: Oögenesis: the storage of developmental information. London: Pergamon 1961.
Reynolds, E. S.: The use of lead citrate of high pH as on electron opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963).
Spurr, A. R.: A low viscosity epoxy resin embedding medium for electron microscopy. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 26, 31–43 (1969).
Watson, M. L.: Staining of tissue sections for electron microscopy with heavy metals. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 4, 475–478 (1958).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Dr. A. de Loof gratefully acknowledges a mandate as “Aangesteld Navorser” of the National Foundation of Scientific Research in Belgium. He also thanks Prof. Dr. A. Gillard for his very helpfull criticism, Dr. W. Mordue (Cambridge) for his help in correcting the language, Prof. Dr. A. Lagasse, for supplying facilities in his laboratory of EM, Mr. W. Bohyn for operating the EM and Mr. G. Maes for photography. Special thanks to Drs. G. Vrensen (Nijmegen) for the introduction in autoradiographic techniques.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
De Loof, A. Synthesis and deposition of oocyte envelopes in the Colorado beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata say. Z. Zellforsch. 115, 351–360 (1971). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00324938
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00324938