Skip to main content
Log in

Sequential study of synaptonemal complexes in mouse spermatocytes by light and electron microscopy

  • Published:
Genetica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Synaptonemal complex (SC) studies in male mice from the beginning of meiosis to its completion (7–40 days of age) indicate: (1) the existence of a leptotene stage with fragmented and completely unpaired axial elements; (2) that synapsis begins at several different initiation points of the axial elements, resulting in X-shaped and Y-shaped configurations; (3) that interlocking of axial elements at zygotene is a normal phenomenon; and (4) that zygotene (presynaptic) and diplotene (postsynaptic) configurations are different from each other.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bojko, M., 1983. Human meiosis VIII. Chromosome pairing and formation of the synaptonemal in oocytes. Carlsberg Res. Commun. 48: 457–483.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Capanna, E., 1980. Presence and role of contractile proteins in the vertebrate synaptonemal complex. Boll. Zool. 47: 231–235.

    Google Scholar 

  • Counce, S. L. & Meyer, G. F., 1973. Differentiation of the synaptonemal complex and the kinetochore in Locusta spermatocytes studied by whole mount electron microscopy. Chromosoma 44: 231–253.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dietrich, A. J. J. & Mulder, R. J. P., 1981. A light microscopy study of the development and behaviour of the synaptonemal complex in spermatocyte of the mouse. Chromosoma 83: 409–418.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dietrich, A. J. J. & Mulder, R. J. P., 1983. A light and electron microscopic analysis of meiotic prophase in female mice. Chromosoma 88: 377–385.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dietrich, A. J. J. & De Boer, P., 1983. A sequential analysis of the development of the synaptonemal complex in spermatocytes of the mouse by electron microscopy using hydroxyurea and agar filtration. Genetica 61: 119–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dresser, M. E. & Moses, M. J., 1980. Synaptonemal complex karyotyping in spermatocytes of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus). IV. Light and electron microscopy of synapsis and nucleolar development by silver stining. Chromosoma 76: 1–22.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Esponda, P. & Stocker, J. C., 1971. Localization of RNA in the synaptonemal complex. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 35: 411–417.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Felluga, B. & Martinucci, G. B., 1976. A simple method for karyotyping by transmission electron microscopy. J. submicrosc. Cytol. 8: 347–352.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fletcher, M. L., 1977. Localised chiasmata Due to Partial Pairing: A 3D Reconstruction of Synaptonemal Complexes in Male Stethophyma grossum. Chromosoma 65: 247–269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fletcher, M. L., 1979. Light microscope analysis of meiotic prophase chromosomes by silver staining. Chromosoma 72: 241–248.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grell, R. F., Oakberg, E. P. & Generoso, E. E., 1980. Synaptonemal complexes at premeiotic interphase in the mouse spermatocyte. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. USA, 77, 11: 6720–6723.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hartung, M., Keeling, J. W., Patel, C. & Bobrow, M., 1983. Nucleoli, micronucleoli and nucleolus like structures in human oocytes at meiotic prophase I studied by the silver-NOR technique. Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 35: 2–8.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hofgärtner, F. J., Schmid, M., Krone, W., Zenzes, M. T. & Engel, W., 1979. Pattern of activity of nucleolus organizers during spermatogenesis in mammals as analyzed by silver staining. Chromosoma 71: 197–216.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Holm, P. B., Rasmussen, S. W. & Wettstein, D., 1982. Ultrastructural characterization of the meiotic prophase. A tool in the assessment of radiation damage in man. Int. Res. 95: 45–49.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kierszenbaum, A. I. & Tres, L. L., 1974. Transcription sites in spread meiotic prophase chromosomes of mouse spermatocytes. J. Cell Biol. 63: 923–925.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Knibiehler, B., Mirre, C., Hartung, M., Jean, P., Stahl, A., 1981. Sex vesicle-associated nucleolar organizers in mouse spermatocytes. Localization, structure and function. Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 31: 47–57.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moens, P. B., 1973. Quantitative electron microscopy of chromosome organization at meiotic prophase. Cold Spring Harb. Symp. quant. Biol. 38: 99–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moses, M. J., 1977a. Synaptonemal complex karyotyping in spermatocytes of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus) I. Morphology of the autosomal complement in spread preparations. Chromosoma 69: 99–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moses, M. J., 1977b. Synaptonemal complex karyotyping in spermatocytes of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus). II. Morphology of the XY pair in spread preparations. Chromosoma 60: 127–137.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moses, M. J., 1980. In: Anima models in human reproduction (M. Serio, ed.). Raven, New York, pp. 169–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Navarro, J., Vidal, F., Guitart, M. & Egozcue, J., 1981. A method for sequential study of synaptonemal complexes by light and electron microscopy. Hum. Genet. 59: 419–421.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oud, J. L., De Jong, J. H. & De Rooij, D. G., 1979. A sequential analysis of meiosis in the male mouse using a restricted spermatocyte population obtained by a hydroxyurea/triaziquone treatment. Chromosoma 71: 237–248.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Oud, J. L. & Reutlinger, A. H. H., 1981. Chromosome behaviour during early meiotic prophase of mouse primary spermatocytes. Chromosoma 83: 395–407.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pathak, S. & Hsu, T. C., 1979. Silver-stained structures in mammalian meiotic prophase. Chromosoma 70: 195–203.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schmid, M., Löser, C., Schmidtke, J. & Engel, W., 1982. Evolutionary conservation of a common pattern of activity of nucleolus organizers during spermatogenesis in vertebrate. Chromosoma 86: 149–179.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sheridan, W. & Barnett, R. J., 1969. Cytochemical studies on chromosome ultrastructure. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 27: 216–229.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Solari, A. J. & Counce, S. J., 1977. Synaptonemal complex karyotyping in Melanoplus differentialis. J. Cell Sci. 26: 229–250.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Speed, R. M., 1982. Meiosis in the foetal mouse ovary. I. An analysis at the light microscope level using surface spreading. Chromosoma 85: 427–437.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tres, L. L., 1977. Extensive pairing of the XY bivalent in mouse spermatocytes as visualized by whole-mount electron microscopy. J. Cell Sci. 25: 1–15.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vidal, F., Templado, C., Navarro, J., Brusadin, S., Marina, S. & Egozcue, J., 1982. Meiotic and synaptonemal complex stuties in 45 subfertile males. Hum. Genet. 60: 301–304.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wettstein, R. & Sotelo, J. R., 1967. Electron microscope serial reconstruction of the spermatocytes I nuclei at pachytene. J. Microsc. 6: 557–576.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

This investigation received financial support from the special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, World Health Organization.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Guitart, M., Coll, M.D., Ponsà, M. et al. Sequential study of synaptonemal complexes in mouse spermatocytes by light and electron microscopy. Genetica 67, 21–30 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02424457

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02424457

Keywords

Navigation