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.
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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.
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Rasmussen, S.W. Ultrastructural studies of spermatogenesis in Drosophila melanogaster meigen. Z.Zellforsch 140, 125–144 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307062
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307062