Fine structure of the chorion of Manduca sexta and Sesamía nonagrioides as revealed by scanning electron microscopy and freeze-fracturing

Abstract

The fine structure of Manduca sexta and Sesamia nonagrioides chorion was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and freeze-fracturing. In both species the mature chorion exhibits a complex ultrastructure on its outer surface, with a large number of aeropyles forming polygonal arrays. The micropyle is surrounded by a rosette of approximately 80 follicular cell imprints. Scanning electron microscopy of vertically ripped sections reveals that both chorions consist of two main layers: a trabecular layer closest to the oocyte and a lamellar layer. The technique of freeze-fracturing, utilizing single-sided and rotary shadowing, clearly shows that fibrils, approximately 3–4 nm in diameter, constitute chorionic lamellae in both species. The fibrils appear to have a ‘beaded’ structure, with a 2–3 nm axial periodicity. Freeze-fracturing also provides a direct visualization of the helicoidal arrangement of these fibrils for the formation of chorion supramolecular architecture.