Isolation of male and female gametes in higher plants

Abstract

The availability of generative cells, sperm cells, embryo sacs and egg cells from angiosperm plants in isolated conditions has opened up many prospects: study of the mechanism of recognition and fusion between gametes of opposite sex and detailed observation of the process of fertilization, biochemical and genetic analysis of gamete-specific components and genetic engineering in combination with in vitro fertilization. This review provides a list of about ninety publications, in which the isolation of male or female angiosperm gametes and the closely related generative cells and embryo sacs is reported. The species used are summarized in two tables. A description is given of the diverse isolation techniques, which consist of enzymatic digestion, bursting of pollen by osmotic shock, squashing, grinding and micro-dissection. Viability of isolated cells and yield, two important aspects of biotechnological manipulation, are emphasized. A critical evaluation of the most significant results obtained so far with isolated material is presented together with notes on prospects for the future.