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Sperm cells in pollen tubes ofNicotians tabacum L.: three-dimensional reconstruction, cytoplasmic diminution, and quantitative cytology

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Summary

The organization of the sperm cells and vegetative nucleus (male germ unit) ofNicotiana tabacum was examined 18 h after semivivo pollination using transmission electron microscopy, computerassisted serial section reconstruction and quantitative cytology. Based on a measurement of 11 cellular parameters in nine reconstructed sperm cell pairs, there are no statistically significant differences between the two cells. The Svn is characterized by a strapshaped cytoplasmic extension that is physically associated with the surface of the vegetative nucleus. The nucleus is located adjacent to the sperm crosswall, with sperm organelles being distributed between the nucleus and the extension. The Sua is a tapered cell with cytoplasmic areas at both poles and deep axial invaginations near the crosswall. This cell has a centrally-located nucleus and a largely polar distribution of organelles. Three mechanisms for cytoplasmic diminution were observed that appear to contribute actively to the loss of cytoplasmic volume and organelles: (1) enucleated cytoplasmic body production in the Sua; (2) vesiculation at the tip of the cytoplasmic projection of the Svn; and (3) vesicle-containing body accumulation in the periplasm of both the Svn and Sua.

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Abbreviations

3-D:

three-dimensional

ECB:

enucleated cytoplasmic body

MGU:

male germ unit

Svn :

leading sperm cell

Sua :

trailing sperm cell

TEM:

transmission electron microscopy

VCB:

vesicle-containing body

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Beijing University, Beijing

    H. S. Yu & S. Y. Hu

  2. Department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Oklahoma, 73019-0245, Norman, OK, USA

    H. S. Yu & S. D. Russell

Authors
  1. H. S. Yu
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  2. S. Y. Hu
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  3. S. D. Russell
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Yu, H.S., Hu, S.Y. & Russell, S.D. Sperm cells in pollen tubes ofNicotians tabacum L.: three-dimensional reconstruction, cytoplasmic diminution, and quantitative cytology. Protoplasma 168, 172–183 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01666263

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01666263

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