扩张莫尼茨绦虫(圆叶目:裸头科)精细胞分化、精子形成及精子形态

本项研究应用光学显微镜、扫描和透射电子显微镜,观察了扩张莫尼茨绦虫的精细胞分化、精子形成全过程及精子的精细结构。扩张莫尼茨绦虫的精细胞分化过程为：1)初级精原细胞主要发生于幼节的睾丸滤泡中;2)次级精原细胞发生不完全分裂形成16个细胞一簇的初级精母细胞群,以共同的中央细胞质相连;3)初级精母细胞的特征为细胞核中出现联会复合体结构;4)紧接着的第二次成熟分裂,产生64个由中央细胞质相连的细胞核较小的精细胞。精子形成始于精细胞中分化区的形成,成熟精子缺乏线粒体,具有质膜和冠状体、1—4个领域排布的质膜下皮层微管,细胞质中存在电子致密的颗粒状物质,具一个不规则形态的细胞核,具有“9 1”类型的轴丝构造,缺乏轴丝周围鞘。从精子的纵切面上可将精子区分为5个区段(Ⅰ一Ⅴ区)。在精子形成过程中,中心粒基部出现螺旋形小根结构在寄生虫中为首次报导;成熟精子具有游离鞭毛,在绦虫中为首次发现[动物学报49(3)：370—379,2003]。     

扩张莫尼茨绦虫(圆叶目:裸头科)节间腺的超微结构及组织化学

用光学显微镜和透射电子显微镜观察了扩张莫尼茨绦虫节间腺形成过程的精细结构及一些组化变化。结果表明：节间腺是扩张莫尼茨绦虫皮层的特化部分,由节片后缘的皮层及其邻近细胞体向绦虫实质组织中陷入开始其形成过程,随着虫体发育的进行,新的陷入不断形成,原陷入的部分不断脱离皮层形成簇状腺体结构。节间腺的数目随着体节的发育不断增加,幼节中仅有少数几个(6～9个),而远端的孕节中多于100个。电镜下可见腺细胞体由细胞质管与腺皮层相联,簇状腺体结构为一合胞体形态,腺细胞体围绕并开口于椭球体或不规则形状的皮层腔中。离腺皮层远的腺细胞体电子密度高并含有与腺皮层相应的典型分泌颗粒,而靠近腺皮层的腺细胞体电子密度低,所含分泌颗粒较少。扩张莫尼茨绦虫节间腺的组化性质尚不完全清楚。糖与蛋白质等组化结果不稳定,随染液pH值及染色时间的变化等多种因素而改变。基于我们的研究及其他研究者的观察表明,节间腺可能参与外源基质形成虫卵的转运,同时他们可能在虫体节片脱落及虫卵溢出时起作用。     

扩张莫尼茨绦虫(绦虫纲:圆叶目)的原肾管及原肾管概念的评述

本研究应用透射电子显微镜研究了扩张莫尼茨绦虫原肾管的细胞学特征 ,莫尼茨绦虫原肾管的焰茎球为一个过滤器结构 ,类似于“挡河坝”样构造 ,此构造由端细胞和近管细胞外突形成的肋条 (或称杆 )相互交错排列而成。肋条之间由细胞外物质构成的“膜”结构连接 ,过滤作用通过该“膜”发生。焰细胞与近管细胞交界处有裂缝或孔与细胞外的结缔组织 (实质组织 )相通 ;原肾管的毛细排泄管细胞质索之间没有隔状联结 ;毛细排泄管及排泄管的管腔内有大量珠状微绒毛突起以增加表面积。从扩张莫尼茨绦虫及其它一些无脊椎动物原肾管的研究结果表明 ,原原肾管概念将焰细胞作为封闭的盲端已不再合适 ,需要进行修订 ,建议修订为 :原肾管是一种焰细胞系统 ,通常由焰细胞、管细胞和肾孔细胞组成 ,焰茎球作为过滤装置与周围的结缔组织 (实质组织 )有或没有裂缝 (孔 )相通     

转化生长因子β1免疫反应阳性物在扩展莫尼茨绦虫体内的分布

用免疫组化SABC法研究了转化生长因子 β1免疫反应阳性物在扩展莫尼茨绦虫成熟体节内的分布。结果表明 :转化生长因子免疫反应阳性物广泛分布于扩展莫尼茨绦虫成熟体节内。扩展莫尼茨绦虫成熟体节的组织结构包括被膜与实质两部分 ;实质被肌层分为外部的皮质与内部的髓质 ,在皮质内有节间腺、肌细胞、神经细胞、排泄 (焰 )细胞等 ;髓质内主要是卵 ,包于卵外的生殖管道 ,以及管道间的连结组织。免疫组化染色显示节间腺、被膜、卵及子宫壁呈强阳性着色 ,光密度测定结果分别为 0 2 70 5± 0 0 80 4 ,0 2 4 5 5± 0 0 4 17,0 4 6 38± 0 0 6 0 3,0 0 373± 0 0 6 13。皮质区与髓质区均有弥散阳性反应产物。表明转化生长因子在扩展莫尼茨绦虫体内广泛分布 ,介导虫体生长及实现其适应寄生生活     

内蒙古西伯利亚棘球绦虫和多房棘球绦虫泡状蚴在小白鼠发育成熟的比较

本文报道人兽共患的泡状肝包虫病原,西伯利亚棘球绦虫Echinococcus sibiricensis (Rausch andSchiller, 1954)泡状蚴和多房棘球绦虫Ech inococcusmultilocularis ( Leuckart, 1863)泡状蚴在KM株小白鼠发育成熟过程比较观察的结果.此两虫种泡状蚴的发育成熟过程仍然和它们早期发育的规律(唐崇惕等,2001)相同.虽然它们成熟的泡囊都被着生在网状结构中的许多原头节所充满,但是在多房棘球绦虫9-14个月的泡状蚴,仍然可以见到它们的原头节和网状结构都是起源于泡囊囊壁内表面的胚细胞层,并且始终保持与该层的联系.而西伯利亚棘球绦虫泡状蚴在鼠肺脏或肝脏的各泡囊中的原头节和网状结构是由可移动的胚细胞团发育生成,它们与泡囊囊壁没有如前者样的联系.西伯利亚棘球泡状蚴在各别小白鼠肝脏也能发育成熟,但不正常,宿主反应异常强烈.     

埃塞俄比亚塔纳湖鲤科鱼类体内亚美尼亚许氏绦虫Khawia armeniaca (Cholodkovsky, 1915) Shulman, 1958 (绦虫纲: 鲤蠢目) 的形态鉴定

在埃塞俄比亚境内塔纳湖中发现了1种寄生于鲤科鱼类: 间魮(Labeobarbus intermedius)和Labeobarbus tsanensis体内的许氏绦虫, 经形态学鉴定其为亚美尼亚许氏绦虫Khawia armeniaca (Cholodkovsky, 1915)(绦虫纲: 鲤蠢目)。该绦虫鉴别特征为头节呈半球状, 边缘光滑, 无皱褶; 睾丸分布区域从虫体中部至阴茎囊之前; 卵巢前卵黄腺分布于虫体中后部至阴茎囊前部区域, 少数排列在阴茎囊之后; 子宫起始于阴茎囊后方弯曲环绕直至卵巢后部区域, 有少许卵黄腺排列在子宫和卵巢的两侧。此外, K. armeniaca卵巢呈滤泡状或蝴蝶状, 雌雄生殖孔分离但彼此距离很近, 开口于体表并形成同一生殖腔, 且雄性生殖孔位于雌性生殖孔前方。卵巢后卵黄腺数目少于100个, 分布于虫体末端, 卵黄腺距离卵巢后翼较远, 部分样品内卵黄腺接近卵巢后翼。     

HpD-激光对离体培养人胃癌细胞杀伤效应的电镜观察

本文应用扫描和透射电镜观察了HpD-激光光敏作用对人胃癌MGc 80-3细胞超微结构的损伤效应。结果表明,光敏作用可以使多种细胞器结构受到损伤:(1) 使细胞表面微绒毛减少,出现大量泡状突起,最后质膜破裂、崩解;(2) 使线粒体肿胀、嵴被破坏,随后整个线粒体空泡化;(3) 使高尔基囊扩张,高尔基液泡和高尔基小泡形态变得极不规则;(4) 使核膜破裂,核仁崩解,染色质凝聚。不同的细胞以及不同的细胞器光敏损伤的时间和程度并不相同。本文讨论了损伤的不同步性与临床治疗不彻底和复发之间的关系。     

中国石龙子精子形成的超微结构研究

采用透射电镜观察中国石龙子精子的形成过程。结果表明:早期精细胞中有高尔基复合体和线粒体集合,由高尔基复合体所分泌的前顶体囊泡,逐渐向核移动,以后的过程可分为四个时期。时期Ⅰ:前顶体囊泡移至核膜时,核膜凹陷形成封闭的顶体囊泡,囊泡底部靠近核膜处有一电子致密的顶体颗粒,近端中心粒及鞭毛开始出现。时期Ⅱ:顶体囊泡变扁平,细胞核延长,染色质浓缩成短丝状的染色质纤维。时期Ⅲ:核进一步延长,染色质纤维变粗变长,按核纵向排列有序。时期Ⅳ:染色质纤维浓缩至最大限度,电子透明的核质消失,核呈高电子致密,顶体复合体发育完全。     

中华鳖造血和免疫器官的个体发育

采用常规孵化的中华鳖胚胎为材料,对不同发育时期造血和免疫器官进行了组织学研究,描述了卵黄囊、胸腺、肝、脾、肾以及骨髓的形态结构变化。发现胚胎期首先出现的造血器官是卵黄囊。此后,卵黄囊的造血干细胞出现在胚体的血循环中,造血功能相继在胚胎胸腺、肝、脾、骨髓(可能还包括肾)中产生。胸腺是中华鳖免疫系统发育的第一个淋巴器官,来自卵黄囊的干细胞在此先分化成小淋巴细胞,然后再迁移至脾脏。脾脏发育中首先出现各发育阶段的红细胞、嗜酸性的细胞和少量粒细胞,淋巴细胞出现较晚,未发现淋巴小结。在胚胎期肝脏发育过程中可见不同发育时期的红细胞和嗜酸性的细胞。在肾的发育过程中,尚可观察到嗜酸性的细胞和类似头肾组织的细胞团。直至出壳前,骨髓内方可见各发育阶段的各系细胞[动物学报49(2)：238—247,2003]。     

慢性酒精中毒对成年小鼠小脑浦肯野细胞超微结构的影响

目的观察慢性酒精中毒所致的成年小鼠小脑皮质浦肯野细胞(Purkinje cell,PC)胞体的超微结构变化,探讨其对神经元超微结构的影响方式及生理意义。方法用15%酒精饲喂3月龄小白鼠3个月,经行为学检测后,取小脑前叶做电镜包埋,切片,染色,透射电镜下观察并拍照。结果酒精中毒组PC核周质中线粒体膨解,基质囊泡化;高尔基复合体扁平囊扩张;粗面内质网碎裂,核糖体颗粒减少;空泡变性出现;双层核膜界限不清;染色质边集等变化。结论慢性酒精中毒可导致小脑浦肯野细胞多种细胞器出现异常改变,推测这些变化可引起胞内物质合成减少,空间构筑紊乱,神经元死亡,最终导致小脑功能损伤。     

Ultrastructure of the vitelline follicles of Gorgoderina vitelliloba (Trematoda: Gorgoderidae)

An electron microscope study of the vitelline follicles of Gorgoderina vitelliloba indicates that they contain vitelline cells in various stages of development. Juvenile cells are small and characterised by a little cytoplasm. During differentiation a large amount of granular endoplasmic reticulum develops. In more mature cells, indistinct Golgi complexes give rise to globules of shell protein which migrate to form clusters at the periphery of the cell. Further maturation results in the appearance of large lipid bodies in the vitelline cell cytoplasm.Developing vitelline cells are ensheathed by nurse cell cytoplasm containing numerous small vacuoles which appear to be derived from smooth endoplasmic reticulum. It is suggested that nurse cells may have a role in selection and transport of nutrient material for vitelline cells and that they manufacture precursors of lipid which is subsequently stored as a food reserve in mature vitelline cells. Possible transport sites between parenchymal cells and nurse cells were identified.     

Vitellogenesis of basal trematode Aspidogaster limacoides(Aspidogastrea: Aspidogastridae)

The vitellogenesis of the trematode Aspidogaster limacoides (Aspidogastrea: Aspidogastridae), a parasite of cyprinid fishes, is described here using transmission electron microscopy. Four different stages of vitellocytes are differentiated: immature vitellocytes, early maturing vitellocytes, advanced maturing vitellocytes and mature vitellocytes. The process follows the same general pattern already described in other free-living neoophorans and parasitic flatworms (i.e. Trematoda, Monogenea and Cestoda): differentiation into mature vitelline cells involves the development of mitochondria, granular endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complexes, lipid droplets and shell-globules. Mature vitellocytes of A. limacoides are composed of numerous shell-globule clusters, few lipid droplets and glycogen granules. They differ from those of another aspidogastrean Rugogaster hydrolagi in that they possess numerous globules tightly packed and by the presence of only one type of vitelline material. The interstitial tissue of vitelline follicles of A. limacoides contains a peripheral nucleus and long cytoplasmic projections extending between vitelline cells. Since aspidogastreans are considered as an archaic group of parasitic flatworms and thus have a strategic phylogenetic position, future works needs to pay special attention to the ultrastructural and chemical composition of mature vitellocytes within this basal group of trematodes.     

Ultrastructural and cytochemical studies of the female gonad of Prorhynchus sp. (Platyhelminthes,Lecithoepitheliata)

The female gonad of Prorhynchus is heterocellular (neoophoran organization) and consists of an unpaired, elongate germovitellarium enveloped by a finely granular extracellular lamina. It is composed of a posterior germinative area where early oocytes are randomly associated with differentiating vitellocytes and a growth area with follicular organization. In each follicle a single oocyte is surrounded by a layer of vitellocytes. By electron microscopy, the oocytes showed features typical of non-vitellogenic germ cells; they had chromatoid bodies, annulate lamellae, lipid droplets and R.E.R. and Golgi complexes producing small granules with a multilamellar pattern. Vitellocytes showed features typical of secretory cells with the R.E.R. and Golgi complex developed to a great extent and involved in the production of type A and type B globules, respectively. We speculate that type A globules are shell-globules and type B globules are yolk. The structure, composition and role of vitellocyte globules of Prorhynchus are compared with those of homologous inclusions from other Platyhelminthes.Abbreviations A type A globule - B type B globule - ECL extracellular lamina - GC Golgi complex - L lipid - RER rough endoplasmic reticulum - O oocyte - V vitellocyte     

Eggshell fine structure of three lepidopteran pests: Cydia pomonella (L.) (Tortricidae), Heliothis virescens (Fabr.), and Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) (Noctuidae)

The eggshells of 3 moths, Cydia pomonella (Tortricidae), Heliothis virescens, and Spodoptera littoralis (Noctuidae) were investigated by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopy. The surface of the noctuid eggs shows structural elements (micropylar rosette, ribs, cross-ribs, and aeropyles) and regional differentiation, all typical of Lepidoptera. The egg of C. pomonella shows a different regional morphology due to its watch-glass shape and its position, lying on the flank. The micropylar structures are on the lower egg face in contact with the substrate. For S. littoralis, the surface structure (sculpturing) of the egg is not species-specific, being indistinguishable from that of S. frugiperda (Salkeld, 1984).In all 3 moths, the eggshell fine structure is basically identical, as revealed by TEM. Both the vitelline envelope and the chorion consist of several distinct layers. The vitelline envelope, bi-layered and several μm thick, undergoes a marked structural change when embryogenesis begins. At the same time, Golgi vesicles bearing dense particles, appear in the periplasm of the egg cell in fertilized eggs of H. virescens and S. littoralis. The chorion of all 3 species consists of a basal layer (C-1), a cavity layer (C-2) supported by trabecles and opening to the exterior via aeropylar canals, and a lamellar layer (C-3), which probably consists of helicoidally arranged stacks of fibrils. In H. virescens and S. littoralis, an additional epicuticle-like layer (C-4) is present. Available data from the literature are summarized and a basic scheme of the radial eggshell fine structure of ditrysian Lepidoptera is proposed.     

Ultrastructure of vitellogenesis and vitellocytes in the trypanorhynch cestode Aporhynchus menezesi, a parasite of the velvet belly lanternshark Etmopterus spinax

This is the first TEM examination of vitellogenesis in the cestode Aporhynchus menezesi, a parasite of the velvet belly lanternshark Etmopterus spinax and a member of a little-studied trypanorhynch family, the Aporhynchidae. The synthetic activity of vitellocytes plays two important functions in the developmental biology of cestodes: (1) their shell-globules serve in eggshell formation; and (2) their accumulated reserves of glycogen and lipids represent a food source for the developing embryo. In A. menezesi, vitelline follicles consist of cells at various stages of development, from peripheral, immature cells of the gonial type to mature cells towards the centre of the follicle. These stages are: (I) immature; (II) early differentiation; (III) advanced maturation; and (IV) mature. Gradual changes involved in this process occur within each stage. Vitellogenesis involves: (1) an increase in cell volume; (2) the development of a smooth endoplasmic reticulum and an accelerated formation and accumulation of both unsaturated and saturated lipid droplets, along with their continuous enlargement and fusion; (3) the formation of individual β-glycogen particles and their accumulation in the form of glycogen islands scattered among lipid droplets in the cytoplasm of maturing and mature vitellocytes; (4) the rapid accumulation of large, moderately saturated lipid droplets accompanied by dense accumulations of β-glycogen along with proteinaceous shell-globules or shell-globule clusters in the peripheral layer during the advanced stage of maturation; (5) the development of cisternae of granular endoplasmic reticulum that produce dense, proteinaceous shell-globules; (6) the development of Golgi complexes engaged in the packaging of this material; and (7) the progressive and continuous enlargement of shell-globules into very large clusters in the peripheral layer during the advanced stage of maturation. Vitellogenesis in A. menezesi, only to some extent, resembles that previously described for four other trypanorhynchs. It differs in: (i) the reversed order of secretory activities in the differentiating vitellocytes, namely the accumulation of large lipid droplets accompanied by glycogenesis or β-glycogen formation during early differentiation (stage II), i.e. before the secretory activity, which is predominantly protein synthesis for shell-globule formation (stage III); (ii) the very heavy accumulation of large lipid droplets during the final stage of cytodifferentiation (stage IV); and (iii) the small number of β-glycogen particles present in mature vitellocytes. Ultracytochemical staining with PA-TCH-SP for glycogen proved positive for a small number of β-glycogen particles in differentiating and mature vitellocytes. Hypotheses, concerning the interrelationships of patterns of vitellogenesis, possible modes of egg formation, embryonic development and life-cycles, are commented upon.     

Ultrastructural studies of differentiation in the oocyte of the polyclad turbellarian,Prostheceraeus floridanus

Oocyte differentiation in the polyclad turbellarian Prostheceraeus floridanus has been examined to determine the nature of oogenesis in a primitive spiralian. The process has been divided into five stages. (1) The early oocyte: This stage is characterized by a large germinal vesicle surrounded by dense granular material associated with the nuclear pores and with mitochondria. (2) The vesicle stage: The endoplasmic reticulum is organized into sheets which often contain dense particles. Vesicles are found in clusters in the cytoplasm, some of which are revealed to be lysosomes by treatment with the Gomori acid phosphatase medium. (3) Cortical granule formation: Cortical granules are formed by the fusion of filled Golgi vasuoles which have been released from the Golgi saccules. The association between the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi suggests that protein is synthesized in the ER and transferred to the Golgi where polysaccharides are added to form nascent cortical granules. (4) Yolk synthesis: After a large number of cortical granules are synthesized, yolk bodies appear. They originate as small membrane-bound vesicles containing flocculent material which subsequently increase in size and become more compact. Connections between the forming yolk bodies and the endoplasmic reticulum indicate that yolk synthesis occurs in the ER. (5) Mature egg: In the final stage, the cortical granules move to the periphery and yolk platelets and glycogen fill the egg. At no time is there any evidence of uptake of macromolecules at the oocyte surface. Except for occasional desmosomes between early oocytes, no membrane specialization or cell associations are seen throughout oogenesis. Each oocyte develops as an independent entity, a conclusion supported by the lack of an organized ovary.     

Ultrastructural studies of the formation of the egg capsule in the hermaphroditic species, Isohypsibius granulifer granulifer Thulin, 1928 (Eutardigrada: Hypsibiidae)

The egg capsule of Isohypsibius granulifer granulifer Thulin 1928 (Eutardigrada: Hypsibiidae) is composed of two shells: the thin vitelline envelope and the multilayered chorion. The process of the formation of the egg shell begins in middle vitellogenesis. The I. g. granulifer vitelline envelope is of the primary type (secreted by the oocyte), but the chorion should be regarded as a mixed type: primary (secreted by the oocyte), and secondary (produced by the cells of gonad wall). During early choriogenesis, the parts of the chorion are produced and then connected into a permanent layer. The completely developed chorion consists of three layers: (1) the inner, medium electron dense layer; (2) the middle labyrinthine layer; (3) the outer, medium electron dense layer. After the formation of the chorion, a vitelline envelope is secreted by the oocyte.     

Ovulation and egg segregation in the tunic of a colonial ascidian,Diplosoma listerianum (Tunicata,Ascidiacea)

Summary The process of egg segregation in the tunic of the ovoviviparous ascidian Diplosoma listerianum was studied by light and electron microscopy. One egg at a time was seen to mature in each zooid. The eggs had large yolk and grew on the ovary wall enveloped in four layers: (1) outer follicle cells (OFC), long and rich in RER (rough endoplasmic reticulum) and with dense granules in the Golgi region; (2) flat inner follicle cells (IFC); (3) a loosely fibrillar vitelline coat (VC); (4) test cells encased on the egg surface. The growing egg protrudes from the ovary wall and presses on the contiguous epidermis. Granulocytes enter the space between the epidermis and the egg and insinuate cytoplasmic protrusions, disrupting the continuity of the OFC layer. At ovulation, OFC and IFC are discharged and form a post-ovulatory follicle (corpus luteum). The epidermis shrinks and closes, possibly by activation of microfilaments, causing the egg to be completely surrounded by the tunic. In the zooid, the wound caused by the passage of the egg is repaired both by contraction of the epidermis and by phagocytic activity. Altered spermatozoans are found in phagocytosing cells in the lumen of the ovary. These are presumably remnants of those which entered to fertilize the egg before segregation.     

The female gonad in two species of Microplana (Platyhelminthes,Tricladida, Rhynchodemidae): Ultrastructural and cytochemical investigations

The female gonad of the land planarians Microplana scharffi and Microplana terrestris consists of two small germaria located ventrally in the anterior third of the body and of two ventro‐lateral rows of oblong vitelline follicles distributed between the intestinal pouches. Both these structures are enveloped by a tunica composed of an outer extracellular lamina and an inner sheath of accessory cells. Oocyte maturation is characterized by the appearance of chromatoid bodies and the development of endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes. These organelles appear to be correlated with the production of egg granules with a fenestrated/granular content of medium electron density, about 4–5 μm in diameter, which remain dispersed in the ooplasm of mature oocytes. On the basis of cytochemical tests showing their glycoprotein composition, and their localization in mature oocytes, these egg granules have been interpreted as yolk. In the vitelline follicles, vitellocytes show the typical features of secretory cells with well‐developed rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes involved in the production of eggshell globules and yolk. The eggshell globules, which appear to arise from repeated coalescences of two types of Golgi‐derived vesicles, contain polyphenols and, when completely mature, they measure about 1–1,2 μm in diameter and show a meandering/concentric content pattern as is typical of the situation observed in most Proseriata and Tricladida. Mature vitellocytes also contain a large amount of glycogen and lipids as further reserve material. On the basis of the ultrastructural features of the female gonad and in relation to the current literature the two species of rhynchodemids investigated appear to be closely related to the freshwater planarians belonging to the family Dugesiidae. J. Morphol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Fasciola hepatica: Morphological changes in vitelline cells following treatment in vitro with the deacetylated (amine) metabolite of diamphenethide (DAMD)

Fasciola hepatica: morphological changes in vitelline cells following treatment in vitro with the deacetylated (amine) metabolite of diamphenethide (DAMD). International Journal for Parasitology 18: 1061–1069. The effect of the deacetylated (amine) metabolite of diamphenethide (DAMD, 10 μg ml⁻¹) on the vitelline cells of Fasciola hepatica over an 18 h period in vitro has been determined by transmission electron microscopy. DAMD acts preferentially on the undifferentiated stem cells and the intermediate cells in the early stages of protein synthesis; it appears to prevent their continued development. In the stem cell the nucleolus is absent after 6 h. During the rest of the drug treatment period considerable clumping of heterochromatin takes place, the cells round up and become electron-dense. Signs of autophagy are also evident, and the mitochondria become swollen and disorganized. From 6 h onwards there are progressive changes in the It1 (intermediate type 1) cells, including clumping of the heterochromatin in the nucleus, a decrease in the number of egg-shell globules (and consequently a reduction in the number and size of the shell globule clusters), and a decrease in the number of ribosomes on the GER cisternae, although the GER system remains well-developed. By 18 h the nucleolus is absent, and the cells are very rounded and electron-dense; the mitochondria are swollen and disorganized. Similar changes are evident in the It2 (intermediate type 2) cells, so that by 18 h it is difficult to distinguish between the It1 and It2 cells. In the mature cells there is a progressive decrease in the number and size of the shell globule clusters from 9 h onwards. Glycogen synthesis and ‘yolk’ formation may also be impaired and lipid droplets are present. Spaces begin to appear between the nurse cell cytoplasm and the vitelline cells after 9 h, and disruption of the nurse cell cytoplasm is evident after 12 h, becoming very severe by 18 h. By this time the follicle is very disorganized and empty-looking. In more severely affected follicles the mature cells are seen to be breaking down. Over the 18 h drug treatment period, a change in the cell population of the follicle takes place, with relatively more stem, early It1 and mature cells being present, whilst few if any characteristic It1 and It2 cells remain. The results are interpreted as being due to an inhibition of protein synthesis in the vitelline cells by DAMD.