Abstract
The distribution and frequency of chiasmata have been analyzed in male BALB/c mice. Bivalents were classified in terms of the number of interstitial chiasmata (CH) and terminal associations (TA) present as follows; 1CH, 2CH, 1TA, 2TA, 1CH·1TA, 1CH·2TA, 2CH·1TA, 2CH-2TA and 0. We provide evidence that the TA frequently dissociates during 1st meiotic prophase. Consequently six of the observed bivalents may be derived from three basic bivalent types (namely 2CH·2TA, 1CH·2TA and 2TA) by dissociation of the TA according to the following schemas: (1) 2CH·2TA→2CH·1TA→2CH, (2) 1CH·2TA→1CH·1TA→1CH, and (3) 2TA→1TA→0. We also provide evidence that interstitial chiasmata do not move, which implies that a TA can not be formed by chiasma terminalization. The chiasma frequency estimated by assuming that terminal associations do not result from terminalized chiasmata is 17.2±2.4 compared to a value of 25.4±2.2 calculated on the assumption of chiasma terminalization.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Belling, J.: Chiasmas in flowering plants. Univ. California Publ. in Botany 16, 311–338 (1931)
Darlington, C.D.: Recent advances in cytology. Philadelphia: Blakiston's Son & Co. Inc. 1932
Esponda, P., Giménez-Martín, G.: The attachment of the synaptonemal complex to the nuclear envelope. An ultrastructural and cytochemical analysis. Chromosoma (Berl.) 38, 405–417 (1972)
Forejt, J.: Chiasma frequency in three inbred strains of mice. Folia Biologica (Prague) 18, 216–218 (1972)
Imai, H.T., Matsuda, Y., Shiroishi, T., Moriwaki, K.: High frequency of X-Y chromosome dissociation in primary spermatocytes of F1 hybrids between Japenese wild mice (Mus musculus molossinus) and inbred laboratory mice. Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 29, 166–175 (1981)
Janssen, F.A.: Spermatogenese dans les Batraciens. V. La théorie de la chiasmatype. Nouvelle interpretation des cineses de maturation. Cellule 25, 387–411 (1909)
Janssen, F.A.: La chiasmatypie dans les insectes. Cellule 34, 135–359 (1924)
John, B.: Myths and mechanisms of meiosis. Chromosoma (Berl.) 54, 295–325 (1976)
John, B., Lewis, K.R.: The meiotic system. Protoplasmatologia Band VI F1. Wien: Springer 1965
Jones, G.H.: The analysis of exchanges in tritium-labelled meiotic chromosomes. II. Stethophyma grossum. Chromosoma (Berl.) 34, 367–382 (1971)
Jones, G.H.: A test for early terminalization of chiasmata in diplotene spermatocytes of Schistocerca gregaria. Chromosoma (Berl.) 63, 287–294 (1977)
Jones, G.H.: Giemsa banding of rye meiotic chromosomes and the nature of “terminal” chiasmata. Chromosoma 66, 45–57 (1978)
Kanda, N., Kato, H.: Analysis of crossing over in mouse meiotic cells by BrdU labelling technique. Chromosoma (Berl.) 78, 113–121 (1980)
Mather, K.: The determination of position in crossing-over II. The chromosome length-chiasma frequency relation. Cytologia (Tokyo) Fujii Jubilee Volume: 514–526 (1937)
Maudlin, I., Evans, E.P.: Chiasma distribution in mouse oocytes during diakinesis. Chromosoma (Berl.) 80, 49–56 (1980)
Moses, M.J.: Synaptonemal complex karyotyping in spermatocytes of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus). Chromosoma (Berl.) 60, 99–125 (1977)
Polani, P.E.: Centromere localization at meiosis and the position of chiasmata in male and female mouse. Chromosoma (Berl.) 36, 343–374 (1972)
Polani, P.E., Crolla, J.A., Seller, M.J., Moir, F.: Meiotic crossing-over exchange in the female mouse visualized by BUdR substitution. Nature (Lond.) 278, 348–349 (1979)
Rhoades, M.M.: Meiosis. Pages 1–75. In: The cell 3 (J. Brachet and A.E. Mirsky eds.) New York and London: Academic Press 1961
Sax, K.: Chromosome structure and the mechanism of crossing over. J. Arnord Arboretum 11, 193–220 (1930)
Solari, A.J.: The spatial relationship of the X and Y chromosomes during meiotic prophase in mouse spermatocytes. Chromosoma (Berl.) 29, 217–236 (1970)
Sumner, A.T.: A simple technique for demonstrating centromeric heterochromatin. Exptl. Cell Res. 75, 304–306 (1972)
Sybenga, J.: Meiotic configurations. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer-Verlag 1975
Taylor, J.H.: Distribution of tritium-labelled DNA among chromosomes during meiosis. I. Spermatogenesis in the glasshopper. J. Cell Biol. 25, 57–67 (1965)
Tease, C., Jones, G.H.: Analysis of exchanges in differentially stained meiotic chromosomes of Locusta migratoria after BrdU-substitution and EPG staining. 1. Crossover exchanges in monochiasmate bivalents. Chromosoma (Berl.) 69, 163–178 (1978)
White, M.J.D.: Animal Cytology and Evolution. 3rd ed. London: Cambridge University Press 1973
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Imai, H.T., Moriwaki, K. A re-examination of chiasma terminalization and chiasma frequency in male mice. Chromosoma 85, 439–452 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00330367
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00330367