Memoirs: A Study of the Cytoplasmic Inclusions and Nucleolar Phenomena during the Oogenesis of the Mouse

1933 ◽  
Vol s2-75 (300) ◽  
pp. 697-721
Author(s):  
R.A. R. GRESSON

1. The Golgi apparatus of the germinal epithelium consists of a dark mass of material situated at one pole of the nucleus. The mitochondria occur scattered throughout the cytoplasm. 2. The Golgi material of the very early oocyte consists of rods and granules clumped together to form a large body at one pole of the nucleus; smaller masses of Golgi material may also be present. 3. In the young oocyte, surrounded by a follicle wall, a single juxta-nuclear body is present; at a later stage the individual Golgi elements break away from the juxta-nuclear body and become distributed throughout the ooplasm. 4. In the late oocytes the Golgi elements occur in close association with the mitochondrial clumps and also scattered through the ooplasm. In tubal eggs the Golgi bodies are smaller in size and more numerous than in the ovarian ova. 5. It is concluded that the large mitochondria of Lams and Doorme correspond to the oocyte Golgi elements of the present contribution. The behaviour of the Golgi material during the growth of the ovum resembles that of the eggs of other mammals. The present findings on the structure of the juxta-nuclear Golgi material agrees with Nihoul's account for the rabbit. 6. The mitochondria of the young oocytes occur scattered through the ooplasm, but are more numerous in the vicinity of the nucleus and Golgi material. Later, the majority of the mitochondria become collected into clumps; in the tubal eggs the mitochondrial clumps are more numerous. 7. The Golgi apparatus of young follicles is situated between the follicle-cell nucleus and the pole of the cell directed towards the oocyte; in follicles consisting of several layers the position of the Golgi apparatus varies, while in fully-formed follicles the Golgi material of many of the cells surrounding the follicular cavity are directed towards the cavity. This agrees with Henneguy's findings for the Golgi apparatus of the follicle-cells of the guinea-pig. The mitochondria of the follicle-cells occur scattered through the cytoplasm but are more numerous towards the pole of the cell adjoining the oocyte. 8. The number of nucleoli present in the early oocyte varies from one to five; the majority of the older oocytes contain a single nucleolus but two may be present. Extrusion into the ooplasm of nucleolar material takes place; the nucleoli and the nucleolar extrusions are basophil (Mann's methyl-blue eosin). 9. Fatty yolk is not present in the mouse ovum. It is suggested that the Golgi elements and mitochondria play some part in yolk-formation, and that some of the granules formed by the fragmentation of the nucleolar extrusions are added to the yolkglobules already present. The yolk-globules of unsegmented tubal eggs are situated towards one pole of the cell; at the twocell stage they appear to be evenly distributed between the two cells. 10. In degenerating eggs the mitochondria are clumped; the Golgi bodies occur in small groups or are closely applied to the mitochondrial clumps. In eggs which have undergone fragmentation the Golgi bodies occur in groups, while the majority of the mitochondria are clumped. The fat-globules, previously recorded by Kingery in degenerating eggs, were identified. In material treated by Ciaccio's method for the identification of fats, appearances suggest that the Golgi elements, and possibly the mitochondria, give rise to fat. Yolk-globules could not be distinguished in the late stages of these eggs.

A great deal has been published in recent years upon cytoplasmic structures appearing in fixed material. Among them, those described as Golgi elements, bodies, apparatus and dictyosomes have, perhaps, received most attention. It is unfortunate that these, together with other structures, have been classed as “Cytoplasmic inclusions” (Gatenby, 1917-21, and others). This is a misleading term which obviously does not convey the meaning intended.. The structures or bodies referred to are supposed to arise in the cytoplasm,, or, being credited with the power of multiplication and development, to be handed on in the cytoplasm from one cell generation to another. The Golgi apparatus is described as being “ of very wide distribution among the cells of higher animals, and is known in the Protozoa, • everywhere showing the same general characters ; and there is reason to believe that the same may be true of plant cells, though considerable doubt concerning this still exists.” (Wilson, 1925.) The apparatus or elements may vary from a localised, network to scattered granules, curved rods, plates or ring-like bodies. The Golgi elements are soluble in acetic acid, and hence it has been assumed that they escaped the notice of earlier observers. No acetic acid, a very usual ingredient of fixatives, is used in the treatment of material in which Golgi elements are to be demonstrated. While chondriosomes, in suitably fixed preparations, darken in osmic acid (OsO 4 ), the Golgi apparatus appears intensely black; hence the two are sometimes supposed to be chemically related. It is claimed that chondriosomes may be differentiated from Golgi bodies by washing the preparation that has been treated with osmic acid in turpentine, when the chondriosomes turn brown, the Golgi bodies remaining intensely black. (Gatenby, 1921.) The chondriosomes, after fixation, are not dependent for their demonstration upon reduction of the reagent used (e. g., OsO 4 or A g NO 3 .), but will stain with certain aniline dyes. Hence it seems probable that there is a definite difference between them and the Golgi elements. [It seems likely that many of the structures produced by the OsO 4 process and labelled chondriosomes are not the same as those demonstrated by other methods. ( April 12, 1927.)]


1933 ◽  
Vol s2-76 (302) ◽  
pp. 243-256
Author(s):  
KRISHNA BEHARI LAL

1. Golgi bodies are juxtanuclear in the early stages after which they migrate towards the cortex, getting finally dispersed in the cytoplasm. Some of the elements in the early stages swell up and become round; this stage is followed by the formation of fatty-yolk bodies. In general the individual Golgi elements have a lightly staining centre surrounded by a heavily impregnated rim. Sometimes they also appear as crescents in section. These bodies are also present in the theca and the follicle cells of the oocyte and periodically ‘infiltrate’ inwards into the cortical region. 2. Mitochondria are feebly developed, and whenever met with are granular in early stages and dust-like and more peripheral in advanced oocytes. 3. Patty yolk is short-lived and is formed in the cytoplasm under the influence of a number of Golgi bodies. 4. Albuminous yolk appears late in the development of the oocyte. It arises in the cytoplasm, sometimes in vesicles and sometimes in association with mitochondria in the peripheral region. 5. The four species of snake examined, Zamenis mucosus, Gongylophis conicus, Tropidonotus stolatus , and Tropidonotus piscator, are not very dissimilar with regard to the origin and behaviour of their cytoplasmic inclusions.


Development ◽  
1965 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-233
Author(s):  
Ruth Bellairs

In the adult hen each oöcyte is surrounded by a capsule of follicle cells and all the raw materials that enter the oöcyte must pass through this capsule. It is not surprising, therefore, that the morphological relationships between the follicle and the oöcyte are of a highly specialized nature. Several workers have studied them, mainly by light microscopy, but their findings have not been unanimous, largely because of difficulties in resolving fine details. For instance, although it has frequently been suggested that certain structures pass from the follicle cell into the oöcyte, these structures have been interpreted by different authors as Golgi bodies, as mitochondria or as fat drops. Similarly, there have been several different theories about the relationship between the cell membrane of the oöcyte, the zona radiata and the vitelline membrane.


1930 ◽  
Vol s2-73 (292) ◽  
pp. 617-630
Author(s):  
R.A. R. GRESSON

1. By the use of Feulgen's ‘nuclealreaktion’ certain points of Tenthredinid oogenesis have been subjected to closer study. The chromatin of the early nurse-cells of Allantus pallipes exists in the form of granules, the majority of which occur close to the nuclear membrane. In the older cells a nuclear network appears in which is distributed granules of chromatin. In Thrinax mixta, where the ovarioles were more highly developed, the chromatin of the nurse-cells occurs as granules scattered through the nucleus; a nuclear network is not present, but certain granules appear to be connected by a thread. The granules which were shown to surround the nurse-cell nuclei (in material treated by Bensley's method and also by fixation in Bouin's picro-formol and subsequently stained in iron haematoxylin) and which were formerly regarded as chromatin emissions from the nurse-cell nuclei (9) were not revealed by Feulgen's technique. They therefore cannot be regarded as chromatin. Their precise nature and origin remains undetermined. 2. The nucleoli of the early nurse-cells of both species, as revealed by Mann's methyl-blue eosin, are faintly basophil. Later they break up into a number of basophil bodies which undergo fragmentation; formerly (technique and reference as in 1) the basophil nucleolus and the basophil bodies originating from it were termed ‘nuclear material’ undergoing fragmentation. While this basophil nucleolar material presents a fragmented appearance, it increases in amount as evidenced by the large number of basophil bodies present in the older nurse-cell nuclei. This material is utilized for the nourishment of the egg after the latter engulfs the nurse-cell nuclei. Nucleolar extrusions to the cytoplasm do not occur. 3. The behaviour of the chromatin of the follicle-cell nuclei is similar to that of the nurse-cell nuclei except that in Allantus pallipes the nuclear chromatin network as demonstrated by Feulgen's technique disappears in the older cells. 4. The nucleoli of the follicle-cells are basophil. They become broken up in the older cells, but in most cases the resulting masses remain in contact. Nucleolar extrusions to the cytoplasm do not occur. 5. The occurrence of deeply basophil material in the cytoplasm of the follicle-cells of Thrinax mixta stained with Mann's methyl-blue eosin, formerly described for Bouin fixed material stained in iron haematoxylin (9), suggests that some substance in solution may be passed into the ooplasm; extrusion of granules from the follicle-cells to the ooplasm does not take place. 6. The absence or non-visibility of chromatin (Feulgen's technique) from the oocytes of Thrinax mixta, and its disappearance from the older oocytes of Allantus pallipes , would indicate that the chromatin undergoes a chemical change during oogenesis such as suggested by Koch for Chilopods. 7. The oxyphil and basophil nucleoli of the oocytes do not react to Feulgen's technique for chromatin; this agrees with Ludford's findings for the mouse and for Limnaeastagnalis.


Development ◽  
1966 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-316
Author(s):  
M. L. Greenfield

The cytoplasm of oocytes is highly complex. This has been demonstrated by light-microscopists not only in birds but in most other classes of animals (see review by Raven, 1961), although the various authors have not always agreed as to the nature of the cytoplasmic components nor as to their significance. For instance, in birds it has often been reported that certain structures pass from the follicle cells into the oocyte, but these have been identified as Golgi bodies, as mitochondria or as lipid drops by different authors. Recently, however, it has been demonstrated by electron microscopy that in the oocytes of adult birds the structures are instead a new type of organelle formed by a modification of the follicle-cell membrane and they have been termed ‘lining bodies’ (Bellairs, 1964, 1965). The role of these structures is not understood and it is clear that more information is needed about them.


1961 ◽  
Vol s3-102 (59) ◽  
pp. 399-405
Author(s):  
DOREEN E. ASHHURST

The only cytoplasmic inclusions visible in the neurones by the light microscope are the lipochondria and mitochondria. It is suggested that the Golgi bodies, seen in preparations made by the Golgi techniques, are produced by the deposition of osmium or silver on the surface of the lipochondria. The lipochondria consist of phospholipids and cerebrosides. There is also some lipid in the cytoplasm, together with carbohydrates, proteins, and RNA.


1978 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-63
Author(s):  
C.J. Flickinger

The appearance of enzymic activity during the development of the Golgi apparatus was studied by cytochemical staining of renucleated amoebae. In cells enucleated for 4 days, there was a great decline in size and number of Golgi bodies, or dictyosomes. Subsequent renucleation by nuclear transplantation resulted in a regeneration of Golgi bodies. Samples of amoebae were fixed and incubated for cytochemical staining at intervals of 1, 6, or 24 h after renucleation. Enzymes selected for study were guanosine diphosphatase (GDPase), esterase, and thiamine pyrophosphatase (TPPase). All three were found in the Golgi apparatus of normal amoebae but they differed in their overall intracellular distribution. GDPase was normally present at the convex pole of the Golgi apparatus, in rough endoplasmic reticulum, and in the nuclear envelope. In amoebae renucleated for 1 h, light reaction product for GDPase was present throughout the small stacks of cisternae that represented the forming Golgi apparatus. By 6 h following the operation GDPase reaction product was concentrated at the convex pole of the Golgi apparatus. Esterase, which was distributed throughout the stacks of normal Golgi cisternae, displayed a similar distribution in the forming Golgi bodies as soon as they were visible. TPPase was normally present in the Golgi apparatus but was not found in the endoplasmic reticulum. In contrast to the other enzymes, TPPase reaction product was absent from the forming Golgi apparatus 1 and 6 h after renucleation, and did not appear in the Golgi apparatus until 24 h after operation. Thus, enzymes held in common between the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus were present in the forming Golgi apparatus as soon as it was detectable, but an enzyme cytochemically localized to the Golgi apparatus only appeared later in development of the organelle. It is suggested that Golgi membranes might be derived from the endoplasmic reticulum and thus immediately contain endoplasmic reticulum enzymes, while Golgi-specific enzymes are added later in development.


1960 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 719-760 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel C. Godman ◽  
Keith R. Porter

The role of the cells in the fabrication of a connective tissue matrix, and the structural modifications which accompany cytodifferentiation have been investigated in developing epiphyseal cartilage of fetal rat by means of electron microscopy. Differentiation of the prechondral mesenchymal cells to chondroblasts is marked by the acquisition of an extensive endoplasmic reticulum, enlargement and concentration of the Golgi apparatus, the appearance of membrane-bounded cytoplasmic inclusions, and the formation of specialized foci of increased density in the cell cortex. These modifications are related to the secretion of the cartilage matrix. The matrix of young hyaline cartilage consists of groups of relatively short, straight, banded collagen fibrils of 10 to 20 mµ and a dense granular component embedded in an amorphous ground substance of moderate electron density. It is postulated that the first phase of fibrillogenesis takes place at the cell cortex in dense bands or striae within the ectoplasm subjacent to the cell membrane. These can be resolved into sheaves of "primary" fibrils of about 7 to 10 mµ. They are supposedly shed (by excortication) into the matrix space between the separating chondroblasts, where they may serve as "cores" of the definitive matrix fibrils. The diameter of the fibrils may subsequently increase up to threefold, presumably by incorporation of "soluble" or tropocollagen units from the ground substance. The chondroblast also discharges into the matrix the electrondense amorphous or granular contents of vesicles derived from the Golgi apparatus, and the mixed contents of large vacuoles or blebs bounded by distinctive double membranes. Small vesicles with amorphous homogeneous contents of moderate density are expelled in toto from the chondroblasts. In their subsequent evolution to chondrocytes, both nucleus and cytoplasm of the chondroblasts undergo striking condensation. Those moving toward the osteogenic plate accumulate increasingly large stores of glycogen. In the chondrocyte, the enlarged fused Golgi vesicles with dense contents, massed in the juxtanuclear zone, are the most prominent feature of the cytoplasm. Many of these make their way to the surface to discharge their contents. The hypertrophied chondrocytes of the epiphyseal plate ultimately yield up their entire contents to the matrix.


1983 ◽  
Vol 61 (7) ◽  
pp. 826-831 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. T. Ilenchuk ◽  
K. G. Davey

A comparison has been made of the effects of juvenile hormone (JH) on the binding characteristics for ouabain of microsomes prepared from brain and from cells of the follicular epithelium surrounding previtellogenic or vitellogenic oocytes in Rhodnius. JH has no effect on the binding of ouabain to brain microsomes and decreases the Kd, but does not alter the Bmax for previtellogenic follicle cells. For vitellogenic follicle cells, Scatchard analysis reveals a curvilinear relationship, which is interpreted as indicating that a new population of JH-sensitive ouabain-binding sites develops as the follicle cell enters vitellogenesis. These results are related to earlier data obtained on the effect of JH on ATPase activity, volume changes in isolated follicle cells, and the development of spaces between the cells of the follicular epithelium.


1963 ◽  
Vol s3-104 (67) ◽  
pp. 297-320
Author(s):  
R. C. KING ◽  
ELIZABETH A. KOCH

Studies are described of the ultrastructure of the follicle cells which invest the oocyte of Drosophila melanogaster at the time of vitelline membrane formation. Of particular interest are organelles made up of endoplasmic reticulum organized into a husk of concentric lamellae which surround lipidal droplets. These epithelial bodies are seen only at the time the vitelline membrane is being formed, and it is assumed therefore that the lipidal material of the epithelial body may be utilized somehow in the fabrication of the vitelline membrane. Cytochemical studies have shown this membrane to contain at least 5 classes of compounds; a protein, two lipids (which may be distinguished by differences in their resistance to extraction by various solvents), and 2 polysaccharides (1 neutral and 1 acidic). Studies were made of vitelline membrane formation in the ovaries of flies homozygous for either of 2 recessive, female-sterile genes (tiny and female sterile). In the case of the ty mutation vitelline membrane material is sometimes secreted between follicle and nurse cells, while in the mutant fes vitelline membrane is observed in rare instances to be secreted between follicle cells and an adjacent layer of tumour cells. In the latter case the vitelline membrane shows altered cytochemical properties. The fact that vitelline membrane can be secreted by follicle cells not adjacent to an oocyte demonstrates that it is the follicle cell rather than the oocyte that plays the major role in the secretion of the precursor material of the vitelline membrane. Subsequently the follicle cells secrete the egg-shell, or chorion, which is subdivided into a dense, compartmented, inner endochorion, and a pale, outer exochorion. A description is given of the ultrastructure of the follicle cells during the secretion of the endochorion and the exochorion. The endochorion contains a protein, a polysaccharide, and a lipid, all of which may be distinguished cytochemically from the vitelline membrane compounds. The exochorion contains large amounts of acidic mucopolysaccharides. Specialized follicle cells form the micropylar apparatus and the chorionic appendages. The formation of the chorion and chorionic appendages is discussed in the light of information gained from abnormalities of the chorions and chorionic appendages seen in ty and fs 2.1 oocytes. Subsequent to the time the egg leaves the ovariole a layer of waterproofing wax is secreted between the vitelline membrane and the chorion.


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