Electron Microscopy of Basophilic Structures of Some Invertebrate Oocytes

Abstract

RNA containing yolk nuclei from the surf clam Spisula solidissima have been studied with the light microscope and with the electron microscope. A variety of structures can be seen with both and a correlation can be made between bodies studied with the electron microscope and those studied with the light microscope. The electron microscope shows many of these structures to be composed of double walled lamellae arranged in space, in various ways. The variety of patterns seen with the electron microscope can be satisfactorily explained on the basis of a hypothetical model. The presence of yolk platelets within the yolk nuclei lends support to classical observations on the synthesis of yolk within yolk nuclei or yolk nuclei derivatives. Small granules (about 100 A) are included within the double walled lamellae and their presence probably accounts for the basophilic nature of the entire body. The presence of small granules attached to electron-dense layers relates the yolk nuclei described here to ergastoplasm discussed by others.

Electron Microscope Study of the Vitelline Body of Some Spider Oocytes

“…These are in some cases integrated into bundles of four to ten parallel cisternae, whereas in other cases, the cisteruae are concentrically arranged forming bodies of circular or oval outline. The latter resemble the structures described by Rebhun in Spissula solidissima (18). Multivesicular bodies of complicated structure were seen in Sicaridae or in Gonyleptidae oocytes.…”

“…(c) Golgl Elements.--Small groups of closely packed thin tubules are found among the lamellae of the body cortex and similar groups also exist in other cytoplasmic zones. They have the same general appearance as that of elements recognized by several authors (4,5,(18)(19)(20)(21) as forming part of the Golgi component. Each group is usually composed of 3 to 6 tubules, 130 A in diameter, surrounded by small vesicles about 200 A in diameter.…”

“…Basophilic structures described as composed of double walled lamellae with small granules attached and claimed to be vitelline nuclei, have been recently reported by Rebhun (17,18). (c) Golgl Elements.--Small groups of closely packed thin tubules are found among the lamellae of the body cortex and similar groups also exist in other cytoplasmic zones.…”

Cytochemical Localisations and Ultrastructure in the Fertilized Unsegmented Egg of Paracentrotus lividus

“…CONCLUSIONS 1. The annulated lamellae which had been described previously (2,14,15,16,18) in the un-j. j, PASTEELS, P. CASTIAUX, AND G. VANDERMEERSSCHE 577 fertilized sea urchin egg, in the oocytes of mollusks, the spermatids of the rat, the pancreas of Amblysttnna, and the cells of the mammalian adenocarcinoma (16) are particularly abundant in the fertilized egg of Paracentrotus.…”

Cell Changes During Protein Synthesis and Secretion: an Electron Microscopic Study of the Response of Lymphoid Tissue to Antigenic Stimulus

“…Various workers have produced evidence of continuity between the plasma membrane and that of the endoplasmic reticulum (Rebhun 1956), and Palade (1956) has suggested this relationship is general. If so, the spaces of the endoplasmic reticulum must be continuous with the extracellular space.…”