Cortical vesicle breakdown in fertilized eggs of Fundulus heteroclitus

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · J. Exp. Zool.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/jez.1402160108· OSTI ID:5175238

Brummett, A R ^[1]; Dumont, J N

---

1. Oberlin Coll., OH

A scanning and transmission electron microscope study has been made of the cortical alveoli of the egg of Fundulus heteroclitus. The study includes both unactivated eggs and fertilized eggs fixed at intervals of 1 second to 10 minutes after insemination. The alveoli appear to vary considerably in size, in contents, and in morphological aspects of their breakdown. As it undergoes dehiscence, each vesicle may form one or several openings in the egg suface; dense granules and particulate, fibrous, or membranous material, apparently in any combination, are liberated to the nascent perivitelline space. It appears that much of the excess membrane externalized during the reaction is strung out in threads and probably lost to the perivitelline space. The evidence does not suggest that the excess membrane either ''dissolves'' or is retrieved by the egg cytoplasm. That part of the cortical vesical membrane which remains continuous with the oolemma gradually becomes microvillous and loses its morphological identity. Granules and particulate matter, presumably liberated from the cortical alveoli, are seen adhering to the inner surface of chorions removed from activated eggs. The micropyle appears to be sealed with similar material. Supernumerary sperm are observed inside the chorion in some instances. The cortical reaction appears to be somehow related to the subsequent formation of a normal embryonic blastodisc.

• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5175238
• Journal Information: J. Exp. Zool.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Exp. Zool.; (United States) Vol. 216; ISSN JEZOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550800* -- Morphology
551000 -- Physiological Systems
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMALS
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BIOLOGICAL MODELS
EGGS
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
FERTILIZATION
FISHES
GAMETES
GERM CELLS
MEMBRANES
MICROSCOPY
MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PERMEABILITY
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SPERMATOZOA
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ULTRASTRUCTURAL CHANGES
VERTEBRATES