ISSN:
1439-0264
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
It was investigated in the domestic fowl, whether a mechanism for a synchronous start of the proliferation of the differentiating spermatogonia in a transversely cut seminiferous tubule (called the “co-ordination” between germ cell association) operates effectively in this species. A trapezoid-shaped cellular association demarcated by two perpendiculars from the tubular lumen to the basement membrane was the unit of observation (provisionally called a “column” Each column is composed of a bundle of elongate spermatids and the neighbouring, various types of germ cells). The extent of closeness of the co-ordination was examined in a total of 2,650 columns, based on the continuity of the spermiogenic sptep-number of the youngest generation of spermatids within adjacent columns. In no case did all columns in a tubular cross section show the same-step spermatids. In most cases (50.2 % of 2,650 columns), the same number was kept in only 2 to 6 adjacent columns. The arrangement of different but consecutive numbers (e. g., 1–2–3 or 1–2-1) was observed in a total of 882 columns. The co-ordination mechanism, therefore, is considered to work, albeit incomplete, among a limited number of adjacent columns in this species.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0264.1993.tb00363.x
