Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A light microscopic study of the development and behaviour of the synaptonemal complex in spermatocytes of the mouse

  • Published:
Chromosoma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A method is presented for the sequential analysis of male meiosis using hydroxyurea (HU). HU produces a gap in the spermatogenic line. The front of surviving cells behind the gap was examined day by day using silverstained whole mount spreads on glass slides. With this method it was possible to study the development and behaviour of the synaptonemal complex (SC) in mouse spermatocytes by the light microscope. At zygotene no unpaired axial elements could be seen. Unpaired axial elements were found to be specific for the diplotene stage. The axes of the XY pair could be recognized from late zygotene up to diplotene.

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

Access this article

Log in via an institution

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Dresser, M.E., Moses, M.J.: Silver-staining of synaptonemal complexes in surface spreads for light and electron microscopy. Exp. Cell Res. 121, 416–419 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Holm, P.B., Rasmussen, S.W.: Three-dimensional reconstructions of meiotic chromosome in human spermatocytes. Chromosomes today 6, 83–93 (1977)

    Google Scholar 

  • Jhanwar, S.C., Chaganti, R.S.K.: Silver-stained synaptonemal complexes of human pachytene bivalents studied by light microscopy. Hum. Genet. 54, 405–408 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

  • Moens, P.B.: The fine structure of meiotic chromosome polarization and pairing in Locusta migratoria spermatocytes. Chromosoma (Berl.) 28, 1–25 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Monesi, V.: Autoradiographic study of DNA synthesis and the cell cycle in spermatogonia and spermatocytes of mouse testis using tritiated thymidine. J. Cell Biol. 14, 1–18 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Moses, M.J.: Microspreading and the synaptonemal complex in cytogenetic studies. Chromosomes today 6, 71–82 (1977b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Oakberg, E.F.: A description of spermiogenesis in the mouse and its use in analysis of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium and germ cell renewal. Amer. J. Anat. 99, 391–413 (1956a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Oakberg, E.F.: Duration of spermatogenesis in the mouse and timing of stages of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. Amer. J. Anat. 99, 507–516 (1956b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Oud, J.L.: The sequence of changes in chromosome morphology during meiotic prophase I. (Abstract of the workshop on chromosomal aspects of male sterility in mammals). Cytogenet. Cell Genet. 27, 209–210 (1980)

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Oud, J.L., Reutlinger, A.H.H.: Chromosome behaviour during early meiotic prophase of mouse primary spermatocytes. Chromosoma (Berl.) 81, 569–578 (1981)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pathak, S., Lau, Y.F., Drwinga, H.L.: Observations on the synaptonemal complex in Armenian hamster spermatocytes by light microscopy. Chromosoma (Berl.) 73, 53–60 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Solari, A.J.: The morphology and ultrastructure of the sex vesicle in the mouse. Exp. Cell Res. 36, 160–168 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Solari, A.J.: The spatial relationship of the X and Y chromosomes during meiotic prophase in mouse spermatocytes. Chromosoma (Berl.) 29, 217–236 (1970)

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

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

    Google Scholar 

  • Tres, L.L.: Side-by-side pairing of the XY bivalent in spermatocytes and the ubiquity of the H-Y locus. Arch. Androl. 2, 101–108 (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  • Westergaard, M., Wettstein, D. von: The synaptinemal complex. Ann. Rev. Genet. 6, 71–110 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Human Genetics, University of Amsterdam, Sarphatistraat 217, 1018, BX Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    A. J. J. Dietrich & R. J. P. Mulder

Authors
  1. A. J. J. Dietrich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. J. P. Mulder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dietrich, A.J.J., Mulder, R.J.P. A light microscopic study of the development and behaviour of the synaptonemal complex in spermatocytes of the mouse. Chromosoma 83, 409–418 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00327362

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00327362

Keywords

Search

Navigation