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Stages in follicle cell/oocyte interface during vitellogenesis in caecilians Ichthyophis tricolor and Gegeneophis ramaswamii: a transmission electron-microscopic study

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Abstract

We describe the ultrastructural organization of the vitellogenic follicle stages in two caecilian species. Monthly samples of slices of ovary of Ichthyophis tricolor and Gegeneophis ramaswamii from the Western Ghats of India were subjected to transmission electron-microscopic analysis, with special attention to the follicle cell/oocyte interface. In order to maintain uniformity of the stages among the amphibians, all the stages in the caecilian follicles were assigned to stages I–VI, the vitellogenic and post-vitellogenic follicles being assigned to stages III–VI. Stage III commences with the appearance of precursors of vitelline envelope material in the perivitelline space. Stages IV and V have been assigned appropriate substages. During the transition of stage III to stage VI oocytes, a sequential change occurs in the manifestations of follicle cells, perivitelline space, vitelline envelope and oocyte cortex. The vitelline envelope becomes a tough coat through the tunnels of which the macrovilli pass to interdigitate between the microvilli. The oocyte surface forms pinocytic vesicles that develop into coated pits and, later, coated vesicles. Contributions of the oocyte cortex to the vitelline envelope and of the follicle cells to yolk material via synthesis within them are indicated. The follicle cell/oocyte interface of vitellogenic follicles of these two caecilians resembles that in anurans and urodeles, with certain features being unique to caecilians. Thus, this paper throws light on the possible relationships of caecilians to anurans and urodeles with special reference to ovarian follicles.

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Acknowledgements

The TEM facility of the Welcome Trust Research Laboratory, Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore 632002, India, is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Thiruvananthapuram, 695581, India

    Reston Saroja Beyo, Lekha Divya, Mathew Smita & Oommen Vilaverthottathil Oommen

  2. Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences, Bharathidasan University, Thiruchirapalli, 620024, India

    Mohammed Abdulkader Akbarsha

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  1. Reston Saroja Beyo
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  2. Lekha Divya
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  4. Oommen Vilaverthottathil Oommen
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  5. Mohammed Abdulkader Akbarsha
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Correspondence to Oommen Vilaverthottathil Oommen.

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This research was supported by funds from the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), through the SARD facility, and by the FIST scheme of Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi, to the Department of Zoology, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, and to the Department of Animal Science, Bharathidasan University, Thiruchirapalli (SR/FST/LSI-233/2002).

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Beyo, R.S., Divya, L., Smita, M. et al. Stages in follicle cell/oocyte interface during vitellogenesis in caecilians Ichthyophis tricolor and Gegeneophis ramaswamii: a transmission electron-microscopic study. Cell Tissue Res 331, 519–528 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-007-0523-2

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