Relationship between lectin-affinity granules in anuran embryos and formation of primordial germ cells

Embryos of the anuran, Rana nigromaculata, contained granules with a specific affinity for Con A and GS-I. Larvae derived from embryos injected with these lectins had a noticeable reduction in both the number and size of primordial germ cells (PGCs). This observation suggests that the granules are somehow involved in the formation of PGCs.     

The fate of intramitochondrial paracrystalline inclusion bodies in germ line cells of water frogs (Amphibia,Anura)

Summary Numerous intramitochondrial pararystalline inclusion bodies (ICIB) were observed in the germinal plasm of a mid-blastula, and in primordial germ cells (PGCs) after their migration to the germinal ridges, inRana ridibunda, R. lessonae andR. esculenta. In oogonia the number of ICIB decreases rapidly. Single ICIB are observed in the germ cells up to the leptotene stage; they have never been observed in pachytene oocytes. In diplotene oocytes that have reached a diameter of about 100 m ICIB are visible again, and their number increases concomitantly with oocyte growth.     

Control of the behaviour of leaf-cutting ants by their ‘symbiotic’ fungus

There is an obligatory relationship between leaf-cutting ants of the generaAtta andAcromyrmex (Hymenoptera; Attini) and the fungus,Attamyces bromatificus Kreisel, for which they provide a substrate of cut plant material. We show that the ants learn to reject plant material that contains chemicals injurious to the fungus. After an initial period of acceptance, ants from laboratory nests stopped harvesting granular bait containing a fungicidal agent (cycloheximide) and orange peel. This rejection was maintained for many weeks. These colonies also rejected control bait containing no cycloheximide. Some generalisation of the response was observed; colonies rejecting orange granules also rejected grapefruit granules, although they still accepted blackcurrant granules. Rejection of fungicidal bait by colonies in the field was restricted to ants on foraging trails exposed to experimental bait. We conclude that a semiochemical from the fungus, circulated by trophallaxis and grooming, regulates the selection of plant material by foragers. The fungus gains more advantages from the symbiotic relationship than is often realised. The ants provide the fungus with housing, sanitation, defence against disease and predators, pre-selected food, and a means of dissemination, at the cost to itself of providing food for the ant brood.     

Octopus chromatophores accumulate nickel

Summary Microprobe analysis of the pigment granules in the superimposed chromatophore layers ofOctopus vulgaris reveal rising amounts of calcium, nickel and sulfur as the size and electron-density of the granules increases. The colours, associated with these increases, shift from yellow/orange to red and finally black.This work was prepared while A.P. was on study leave in Germany supported by the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst.     

What leads from <Emphasis Type="Italic">dead-end?</Emphasis>

The 129 mouse strain develops congenital testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) at a low frequency. TGCTs in mice resemble the testicular tumors (teratomas) that occur in human infants. The genes that cause these tumors in 129 have not been identified. The defect at the Ter locus increases TGCT incidence such that 94% of 129-Ter/Ter males develop TGCTs. The primary effect of the Ter mutation is progressive loss of primordial germ cells (PGCs) during embryonic development. This results in sterility in adult Ter/Ter mice on all mouse strain backgrounds. However, on the 129 background, Ter causes tumor development in addition to sterility. Therefore, Ter acts as a modifier of 129-derived TGCT susceptibility genes. Ter was identified to be a mutation that inactivates the Dead-end1 (Dnd1) gene. In this perspective, I discuss the possible areas of future investigations to elucidate the mechanism of TGCT development due to Dnd1 inactivation. Received 29 September 2006; received after revision 29 January 2007; accepted 19 February 2007     

Occurrence of aldehyde-fuchsin and performic acid-victoria blue positive granules in the ovarian pedicle ofDysdercus koenigii F. (Pyrrhocridae: Heteroptera)

Summary A cycle of activity of aldehyde-fuchsin and performic acid-Victoria blue positive granules was observed in the ovarian pedicle ofDysdercus koenigii during the first ovipositional cycle. The quantitative variation of these granules in the pedicle can also be correlated directly with the increase or decrease of the neurosecretory material in the A-type cells of the pars intercerebralis medialis region of the protocerebrum of the brain.The authors are grateful to Director of Research, University of Udaipur, Udaipur (Rajasthan), for providing laboratory facilities.     

Methods of metal incorporation into intracellular granules

Summary The hepatopancreas of the garden snail (Helix aspersa) contains basophil cells which produce intracellular granules of CaMgP₂O₇. A variety of metals are incorporated into these granules either by direct substitution or by the synthesis of new pyrophosphate material.Supported by NERC grant GR3/3063.     

Magnesium und Calcium enthaltende Einschlusskörper in den Mitteldarmzellen von Aphiden

Summary Granules in the midgut cells ofMegoura viciae Buckt. are described and found to consist of magnesium-phosphate and -carbonate; calcium may also be present. These granules are absent only in new-born larvae, but appear soon after the first uptake of food and accumulate during the four larval stages, being particularly striking in adults. The granules also occur in 25 other species of aphids, indicating that this phenomenon may be characteristic of aphids.     

Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchung der phäochromen (chromaffinen) Granula in den Markzellen der Nebenniere

Summary The catechol-containing granules in the adrenal medullary cells (mouse, guinea pig, cat) are true cell organells, clearly distinguished from mitochondria; their size varies over a fairly wide range, the mean diameter being calculated at about 175 mµ in the mouse (osmium-tetroxide-fixation). They have a surrounding membrane of 100 Å thickness; their internal structure is finely granular. On the thin sections, many granules are surrounded by spaces which appear empty under the electron microscope and which are limited by double-membranes; it is most likely thatintra vitam these spaces contain lipids.

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Ausgeführt mit Unterstützung der Friedrich-Baur-Stiftung und der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Der Einfluss von Calcium auf die Brenzcatechinaminfreisetzung

Summary (1) Experiments on isolated perfused suprarenals of cattle have shown that the acetylcholine-induced release of catechol amines, but not that of phenylethylamine, is dependent on calcium, since a perfusion with calcium-free Tyrode's solution abolishes the action of acetylcholine and not that of phenylethylamine. (2) Inincubation experiments with isolated chromaffin granules, calcium produces a dose-dependent, significant release of catechol amines even in physiological concentrations (2.5 mM). (3) Acetylcholine does not release catechol amines from isolated granules, either in the presence or in the absence of calcium.

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Forschungs-Stipendiat der A. von Humboldt-Stiftung.

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Ausgeführt mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Marquage intense de la couche des «wedge granules» dans les oocytes en prématuration de la Caille japonaise (Coturnix coturnix japonica) après injection del-leucine-3H

Summary After an i.p. injection ofl-leucine-³H in regularly laying Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) and autoradiographic study of their premature oocytes, the wedge granules layer and polar granules are found to be heavily labelled.

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L'auteur remerçie vivement le ProfesseurL. Vakaet (R.U.C.A.) pour ses suggestions.     

Cytologie fine des cellules interstitielles du testicule du poissonLebistes reticulatus R.

Summary The active interstitial cells of the testis ofLebistes reticulatus R. have numerous, big, dense mitochondria of tubular structure and a developed endoplasmic reticulum. The formation of lipochrome pigment granules corresponds to a degenerative evolution of these cells.     

Die Phagozytose von Melaningranula durch Bindegewebszellen während des Gewebeabbaus der Metamorphose beiXenopus

Summary Phagocytosis of melanin granules by cells of the connective tissue (histiocytes, macrophages) was observed in larvae ofXenopus laevis. Their participation in reduction of tissues is not of significant importance.     

Sérotonine et scglycémie chez les crustacés

Summary Injection of 0.2 cm³ of 5-HT 0.1% inCarcinus maenas has a powerful hyperglycaemic effect and determines at the same time a dispersion of the melanin granules in chromatophores of eyestalkless crabs. In both instances, 5-HT mimics the effects of the injection of an extract from the eyestalks.     

La structure de certaines terminaisons nerveuses montre des variations cycliques

Summary All sensory endings of the trigeminal nerve in the dura mater of the rat are formed by a small swelling, from which continues themetaterminal apparatus, fine filaments at the limit of visibility. Periodically the fine granules at the extremity of the filaments swell, whereas the fibrils themselves disappear, leaving a small, round, argentophil mass. Later the filaments reappear, then redeposit their debris, which persists for a time.Thus the metaterminal apparatus manifests cyclic variations, which recall the transitory existence of collaterals observed duringin vivo orin vitro development of nerve fibres.     

The fate of intramitochondrial paracrystalline inclusion bodies in germ line cells of water frogs (Amphibia, Anura)

Numerous intramitochondrial paracrystalline inclusion bodies (ICIB) were observed in the germinal plasm of a mid-blastula, and in primordial germ cells (PGCs) after their migration to the germinal ridges, in Rana ridibunda, R. lessonae and R. esculenta. In oogonia the number of ICIB decreases rapidly. Single ICIB are observed in the germ cells up to the leptotene stage; they have never been observed in pachytene oocytes. In diplotene oocytes that have reached a diameter of about 100 microns ICIB are visible again, and their number increases concomitantly with oocyte growth.     

Acid phosphatase in eggs of the zebrafish,Brachydanio rerio

Summary 2 isozymes of acid phosphatase have been identified by polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis in the ovary and mature, unfertilized eggs ofB. rerio. Histochemically, the enzyme appears to be localized in preyolk bodies of previtellogenic oocytes and in yolk platelets of vitellogenic and postvitellogenic oocytes. The contents of the cortical granules at all stages of oocyte differentiation were acid phosphatase negative.     

3-OH-Kynurenine content and ommochrome formation in the developing compound eye ofEphestia kühniella

Summary The eye color ofEphestia kühniella is primarily determined by the ommochromes xanthommatin and ommin. The pigmentation, an important part of eye differentiation, occurs mainly during the pupal stage. Comparative studies on eye colour mutants indicate that a first step in ommochrome synthesis is the binding of the precursor 3-OH-kynurenine to developing pigment granules. Both xanthommatin and ommin are present from the early beginning of eye differentiation, and exhibit different developmental profiles.     

The subcommissural organ of the lizardLacerta s. sicula raf. ultrastructure during the winter

Summary The secretory activity of the SCO cells ofLacerta s.sicula Raf. is strongly reduced during the winter. Such reduction is documented by the decrease of the number of secretory granules type A and B described in previous papers in the summer SCO cells. Also the sacks of RER filled with electron-dense material (type C secretion) are very few; in their place there are, in the basal region of the cells, large vacuoles. In the distal region of the cells, at the free cell surface, a pronounced increase in the number of microvilli is noticed.     

The cause of the primary asymmetry of germ cell distribution in the gonadal primordia of chick embryo]

The primary asymmetry of the distribution of PGCs in the germinal epithelia of the chick embryo is the result of a numerically unequal distribution of these cells in the left and right vascular networks. A statistical proportionality exists between the increases in the degree of primary asymmetry and those in the degree of asymmetry of distribution in the circulation.