Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ultrastructural studies of oogenesis in some european amphibians

II. Triturus vulgaris

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

Oogenesis was studied in adult Triturus vulgaris (Urodela) with the electron microscope. The oocytes investigated ranged between 50 μm and 1600 μm in diameter.

Two types of yolk platelet formation were found. Since both types involve the incorporation of high numbers of pinocytotic vesicles they are believed to be of an extraoocytic origin. On the basis of the order of their appearance they were named primary and secondary yolk.

Five different types of vesicles were found, which participate in a variety of activities, such as yolk formation and the formation of the Golgi apparatus. They originate from four different sources, namely the nuclear membrane, the cytoplasm in connection with ribosome-like particles, the Golgi apparatus and the plasma membrane through pinocytosis. The results obtained were discussed especially with respect to differences found between the anura and the urodela, such as the presence or absence of cortical granules or equivalent structures.

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

  • Balinsky, B., Devis, R.: Origin and differentiation of cytoplasmic structures of the oocytes of Xenopus laevis. Acta Embryol. Morph. exp. (Palermo) 6, 55–108 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Clerot, J.C.: Mise en évidence par cytochimie ultrastructurale de l'emission de protéines par le noyau d'auxocytes de bactriciens. J. Microscopie 7, 973–992 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dumont, J.N.: Oogenesis in Xenopus laevis (Daudin) I. Stages of oocyte development in laboratory maintained animals. J. Morph. 136, 153–180 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Godula, J.: Intramitochondrial complexes of atypical structures in hepatocytes of Triturus alpestris (Laurenti). Experientia (Basel) 28, 453–455 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant, P.: Phophatase metabolism during oogenesis in Rana temporaria. J. exp. Zool. 12, 513–544 (1953)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hope, J., Humphries, A., Bourne, G.H.: Ultrastructural studies on developing oocytes of the salamander Triturus viridescens I. The relationship between follicle cells and developing oocytes. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 9, 302–324 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hope, C., Humphries, A., Bourne, G.H.: Ultrastructural studies on developing oocytes in the salamander Triturus viridescens. II. The formation of yolk. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 10, 547–556 (1964a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hope, J., Humphries, A., Bourne, G.H.: Ultrastructural studies on developing oocytes of the salamander Triturus viridescens. III. Early cytoplasmic changes and the formation of pigment. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 10, 557–566 (1964b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Karasaki, S.: Studies on amphibian yolk. I. The ultrastructure of the yolk platelet. J. Cell Biol. 18, 135–151 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kemp, N.E.: Synthesis of yolk in oocytes of Rana pipiens after induced ovulation. J. Morph. 92, 487–505 (1953)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kemp, N.E.: Cortical changes in growing oocytes and in fertilized or pricked eggs of Rana pipiens. J. Cell Biol. 34, 111–122 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kessel, R.G.: Electron microscope studies on the origin of annulate lamellae in oocytes of Necturus. J. Cell Biol. 19, 391–414 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kessel, R.G.: Cytodifferentiation in the Rana pipiens oocyte. I. Association between mitochondria and nucleolus-like bodies in young oocytes. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 28, 61–77 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kessel, R.G.: Cytodifferentiation in the Rana pipiens oocyte. II. Intramitochondrial yolk. Z. Zellforsch. 112, 313–332 (1971a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kessel, R.G.: Origin of the Golgi apparatus in embryonic cells of the grasshopper. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 34, 260–275 (1971b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kress, A., Spornitz, U.M.: Ultrastructural studies of oogenesis in some European amphibians. I. Rana esculenta and Rana temporaria. Z. Zellforsch. 128, 438–456 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lanzavecchia, G.: The formation of yolk in frog oocytes. Proc. European Conf. Electron Microscopy, Delft, 2, 746 (1960)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lanzavecchia, G.: Structure and demolition of yolk in Rana esculenta. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 12, 147–159 (1965)

    Google Scholar 

  • Massover, W.H.: Intramitochondrial yolk crystals of frog oocytes. I. Formation of yolk crystals by mitochondria during bullfrog oogenesis. J. Cell Biol. 48, 266–279 (1971a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Massover, W.H.: Intramitochondrial yolk crystals of frog oocytes. II. Expulsion of intramitochondrial yolk crystals to form single-membrane bound hexagonal crystalloids. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 36, 603–620 (1971b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Massover, W.H.: Nascent yolk platelets of anuran amphibian oocytes. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 37, 574–591 (1971c)

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, E.S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–213 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ringle, D., Cross, P.R.: Organization and composition of the amphibian yolk platelet. I. Investigation on the organization of the platelet. Biol. Bull. 122, 263–280 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sentein, P., Humeau, C.: Origine mitochondriale du vitellus dans l'ovocyte de Triturus helveticus. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) Ser. D. 267, 753 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Spornitz, U.M.: Some properties of crystalline inclusion bodies in oocytes of Rana temporaria and Rana esculenta. Experientia (Basel) 28, 66–67 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

  • Spornitz, U.M., Kress, A.: Yolk platelet formation in oocytes of Xenopus laevis (Daudin). Z. Zellforsch. 117, 235–251 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Takamoto, K.: Studies on the process of amphibian oogenesis. V. The formation of proteinaceous yolk in Rana ornativentris. Zool. Mag. 76, 259–264 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wallace, R.A.: Studies on amphibian yolk. IV. An analysis of main body components of yolk platelets. Biochim. biophys. Acta (Amst.) 74, 505–518 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wallace, R.A., Nichol, J.M., Ti Ho, Jared, D.W.: Studies on amphibian yolk. X. The relative roles of autosynthetic and heterosynthetic processes during yolk protein assembly by isolated oocytes. Develop. Biol. (in press)

  • Ward, R.T.: The origin of protein and fatty yolk in Rana pipiens. II. Electron microscopical and cytochemical observations of young and mature oocytes. J. Cell Biol. 14, 309–341 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward, R.T.: Dual mechanism for the formation of yolk platelets in Rana pipiens. J. Cell Biol. 23, 100A (1964)

  • Ward, R.T., Ward, E.: The multiplication of Golgi bodies in the oocytes of Rana pipiens. J. Microscopie 7, 1007–1020 (1968a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ward, R.T., Ward, E.: The origin and growth of cortical granules in the oocytes of Rana pipiens. J. Microscopie 7, 1021–1030 (1968b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wartenberg, H.: Elektronenmikroskopische und histochemische Studien über die Oogenese der Amphibieneizelle. Z. Zellforsch. 58, 427–486 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wartenberg, H.: Experimentelle Untersuchungen über die Stoffaufnahme durch Pinocytose während der Vitellogenese der Amphibienoocyten. Z. Zellforsch. 63, 1004–1019 (1964)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wischnitzer, S.: An electron microscopic study of the Golgi apparatus of amphibian oocytes. Z. Zellforsch. 57, 202–212 (1962)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wischnitzer, S.: The ultrastructure of the layers enveloping yolk forming oocytes from Triturus viridescens. Z. Zellforsch. 60, 452–462 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wischnitzer, S.: An electron microscopic study of the formation of the zona pellucida in oocytes from Triturus viridescens. Z. Zellforsch. 64, 196–209 (1964a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wischnitzer, S.: Ultrastructural changes in the cytoplasm of developing amphibian oocytes. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 10, 14–16 (1964b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wischnitzer, S.: The ultrastructure of the cytoplasm of the developing amphibian eggs. Advanc. Morphogenes. 5, 131–179 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yew, M.L.: A cytological study of oogenesis and yolk formation in the Gulf Coast toad, Bufo valliceps. Cellule 67, 331–339 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Medical-Theoretical Institutes, RWTH, Aachen, Germany

    Udo M. Spornitz & Annetrudi Kress

  2. Anatomisches Institut der Universität, Pestalozzistr. 20, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland

    Udo M. Spornitz

Authors
  1. Udo M. Spornitz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Annetrudi Kress
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

The authors wish to thank Prof. Dr. K.S. Ludwig for his valuable criticism and encouragement during the course of this study, Messrs. H. Boffin, C. Evers and Miss D. Lovrić for their capable technical assistance.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Spornitz, U.M., Kress, A. Ultrastructural studies of oogenesis in some european amphibians. Z.Zellforsch 143, 387–407 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307423

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307423

Key words

Search

Navigation