Summary
Meiosis in male Drosophila melanogaster was studied with the electron microscope. The number and the distribution of ring channels between individual members of a cluster of primary spermatocytes was determined from serial sections. The tubules with a diameter of 45 nm characteristic for meiotic prophase nuclei gave a chromatin type reaction, when treated with EDTA according to Bernhard's technique, thus suggesting that these tubules contain DNA. A material resembling central regions of synaptinemal complexes was observed in the nucleolus of primary spermatocytes during the downward movement in the testis. It is suggested that they represent unused precursors to central components of synaptinemal complexes, which are absent at pachytene of Drosophila males. Up to six tail fibers (kinetosomes + axonemes) were observed in every primary spermatocyte prior to meiosis.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Åbro, A.: On the synchronous differentiation of spermatogenic cells in Drosophila melanogaster Meigen. Acta Universitatis Bergensis-Series Mathematica Rerumque Naturalium, No 1, 1–16 (1964).
Anderson, P. J.: Purification and quantitation of glutaraldehyde and its effect on several enzyme activities in skeletal muscle. J. Histochem. Cytochem. 15, 652–661 (1967).
Bairati, A.: Struttura ed ultrastruttura dell'apparato genitale maschile di Drosophila melanogaster Meig. Z. Zellforsch. 76, 56–99 (1967).
Bell, P. R.: Intranucleolar bodies with axial structure in the fern Pteridium. Chromosoma (Berl.) 24, 188–193 (1968).
Bernhard, W.: A new staining procedure for electron microscopical cytology. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 27, 250–265 (1969).
Cooper, K. W.: Normal spermatogenesis in Drosophila. In: Biology of Drosophila, ed. by Demerec. p. 1–61. New York: Hafner Publishing Comp. 1950.
Galey, F. R., Nilsson, S.E.G.: A new method for transferring sections from the liquid surface of the through staining solutions to the supporting film of a grid. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 14, 405–410 (1965).
Gillies, C. B., Hyde, B. B.: Intranucleolar bodies in maize pachytene microsporocytes. In press.
Hannah-Alava, A.: The pre-meiotic stages of spermatogenesis. Advanc. Genet. 13, 157–215 (1965).
Hess, O., Meyer, G. F.: The Y-chromosome in Drosophila. Advanc. Genet. 14, 171–223 (1968).
Kaufmann, B. P., Gay, H.: Cytological evaluation of differential radiosensitivity in spermatogenous cells of Drosophila. In: Repair from genetic radiation damage. Proc. Int. Symp. Leiden, ed. by F. H. Sobels, p. 375–412. New York: Macmillan (Pergamon) 1963.
Koch, E. A., Smith, P. A., King, R. C.: The division and differentiation of Drosophila cystocytes. J. Morph. 121, 55–70 (1967).
King, R. C.: Ovarian development in Drosophila melanogaster. New York: Academic Press 1970.
Koch, E. A., King, R. C.: The origin and early differentiation of the egg chamber of Drosophila melanogaster. J. Morph. 119, 283–304 (1966).
Loche, M., Krishnan, N., McMahon, J. T.: A routine method for obtaining high contrast without staining sections. J. Cell Biol. 50, 540–544 (1971).
Meyer, G. F.: The fine structure of spermatocyte nuclei of Drosophila melanogaster. Europ. Reg. Conf. E. M. Delft 1960, 951–954 (1960).
Meyer, G. F.: A possible correlation between the submicroscopic structure of meiotic chromosomes and crossing over. Proc. Third Europ. Reg. Conf. Prague, 461–462 (1964).
Meyer, G. F.: Experimental studies on spermiogenesis in Drosophila. Genetics, Suppl. 61, 79–92 (1969).
Meyer, G. F., Hess, O., Beermann, W.: Phasenspezifische Funktionsstrukturen in Spermatocytenkernen von Drosophila melanogaster und ihre Abhängigkeit vom Y-Chromosom. Chromosoma (Berl.) 12, 676–716 (1961).
Moses, M. J.: Synaptinemal complex. Ann. Rev. Genet. 2, 363–413 (1968).
Phillips, D. M.: Insect sperm: Their structure and morphogenesis. J. Cell Biol. 44, 243–278 (1970).
Reynolds, E. S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 117, 208–211 (1963).
Tokuyasu, K. T., Peacock, W. J., Hardy, R. W.: Dynamics of spermiogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster. I. Individualization process. Z. Zellforsch. 124, 479–506 (1972).
Westergaard, M., Wettstein, D. von: Studies on the mechanism of crossing over. IV The molecular organisation of the synaptinemal complex in Neottiella (Cooke) Saccardo (Ascomycetes). C. R. Lab. Carlsberg. 37, (11), 239–268 (1970).
Westergaard, M., Wettstein, D. von: The synaptinemal complex. Ann. Rev. Genet. 6, 71–110 (1972).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
I want to thank Professors D. von Wettstein and M. Westergaard for suggesting the subject of this investigation. The assistance of Lis Nilsson-Tillgren, Poul Eriksen, Ulla Edén, and Bibi Andersen is gratefully acknowledged. Finally I wish to thank Dr. Larry W. Olson and Professor D. von Wettstein for assistance in preparing the manuscript. This work was supported by grants from the U. S. Public Health Service, National Institute of Health (GM 10819) and the Carlsberg Foundation.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rasmussen, S.W. Ultrastructural studies of spermatogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster meigen. Z.Zellforsch 140, 125–144 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307062
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307062