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A sequential analysis of the development of the synaptonemal complex in spermatocytes of the mouse by electron microscopy using hydroxyurea and agar filtration

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Abstract

A method is presented for sequential analysis of the development and behaviour of the Synaptonemal Complex (SC) in primary spermatocytes of male mice, using agar filtration for electron microscope grid preparation. The mice were treated with hydroxyurea (HU) to produce a gap in the spermatogenic line. The front of surviving cells behind the gap was examined day by day. The first visible parts of unpaired axial elements, with some barely recognizable paired regions were found 9 days after the last HU injection i.e. directly after the last S-phase before meiosis. During mid zygotene and late zygotene the axes of the autosomes had a fuzzy ill-defined appearance with irregular regions of apparent thickening. The axes of the XY pair could be recognized only at late zygotene. During pachytene the SCs of the autosomal pairs did not show a significant change except for a slight increase in size of the attachment points of the axial elements. On the first day of pachytene the axes of the XY pair appeared thin and long. On the second day the axes of the XY pair showed maximal pairing of about 50% of the axis of the Y chromosome. From the third to the fifth day a decrease of the paired region of the sex chromosomes was found together with an increase in thickness of the axes, which reached its maximum on the fourth day. Diplotene could be easily recognized: the autosomal axes showed a sharp, well-defined outline with thick attachment points with deltoid structure, and desynapsis was very clear. The axes of the XY pair showed variation during diplotene but on the third day of diplotene a characteristic bulging could be seen. The axes of the autosomes disappeared at this time and in most cases only the attachment points remained visible.

The duration of the prophase classes of meiosis I was found to be: zygotene approximately 2 days; pachytene a little more than 5 days and diplotene approximately 3 days. Leptotene could not be traced by the method used. If it exists at all, it must be a stage of very short duration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Human Genetics, University of Amsterdam, Sarphatistraat 217, 1018 BX, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    A. J. J. Dietrich

  2. Department of Genetics, Agricultural University, Generaal Foulkesweg 53, 7603 BM, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    P. De Boer

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  1. A. J. J. Dietrich
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  2. P. De Boer
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Dietrich, A.J.J., De Boer, P. A sequential analysis of the development of the synaptonemal complex in spermatocytes of the mouse by electron microscopy using hydroxyurea and agar filtration. Genetica 61, 119–129 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00123222

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00123222

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