DNA synthesis after polyspermic fertilization in the axolotl

Abstract

Cytological and autoradiographic studies were done to investigate the cytoplasmic control of DNA synthesis under conditions of physiological polyspermy. The DNA synthetic phases of the egg, principal sperm and accessory sperm nucleic were determined and correlated with nuclear morphology and develpmental fate. Results show that accessory sperm nuclei undergo morphological transition to pronuclei. Their DNA synthetic phase is the same as that of the principal sperm nucleus. Hence accessory sperm nuclei are capable of initiating and completing DNA replication before any cytological evidence of their degeneration is observed.