Abstract
In vitro fertilization techniques using single isolated gametic protoplasts of maize are described. Pairs of isolated sperm and egg cell protoplasts were fused electrically. Unequal distribution of cell organelles was observed followed by unequal first cell division in most of the zygotes. The individually cultured zygotes developed via direct embryogenesis to globular structures, proembryos, transition-phase embryos and finally to phenotypically normal and fertile maize plants. These plants were examined karyologically and morphologically, and the segregation ratios of the kernel color of the selfed fusion plants were investigated, indicating their hybrid nature.
The fusion of the female and male gametic protoplasts of maize is mediated also by a high calcium concentration and a high pH followed by growth to multicellular structures. The nonelectrical fusion method enables to study adhesion, recognition and fusion of higher plant gametes. However, it has to be investigated, whether gamete specific receptors are involved in these processes. The likelyhood of nongamete specific fusion is indicated by the observation of spontaneous fusion of two egg cell protoplasts as well as by the fusion of two sperm cell protoplasts.
Possible applications of the methods of ex ovulo fertilization for fundamental and applied studies are discussed.
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Kranz, E., Lörz, H. (1995). Embryogenesis and Plant Regeneration from in Vitro Fused Isolated Gametes of Maize. In: Terzi, M., Cella, R., Falavigna, A. (eds) Current Issues in Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology. Current Plant Science and Biotechnology in Agriculture, vol 22. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0307-7_26
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-0307-7_26
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