Nuclear activity during oogenesis in sea urchins

Abstract

Early meiotic stages of Arbacia punctulata oocytes have revealed the presence of synaptinemal complexes in the chromosomes, which persist through zygotene-pachytene. The synaptinemal complexes conform broadly to the usual tripartite structures found in other higher forms. In addition, nuclei at these stages consist of a small nucleolus and dense bodies of varying sizes. The nucleolus is fibrillar in texture throughout and does not seem to incorporate Uridine-5-3H after pulse labeling, whereas the chromosomes are labeled. The nucleolar label is visualized at diplotene stages and onwards. The nuclear envelope differentiates by the appearance of numerous nuclear pore complexes with dense material in the annuli, and the chromosomes become markedly diffused. At vitellogenesis stage the nucleolus and chromatin become highly labeled after pulse incorporation of Uridine, indicating synthesis of ribosomal and chromosomal RNAs.