A light microscopic study of the development and behaviour of the synaptonemal complex in spermatocytes of the mouse

A method is presented for the sequential analysis of male meiosis using hydroxyurea (HU). HU produces a gap in the spermatogenic line. The front of surviving cells behind the gap was examined day by day using silverstained whole mount spreads on glass slides. With this method it was possible to study the development and behaviour of the synaptonemal complex (SC) in mouse spermatocytes by the light microscope. At zygotene no unpaired axial elements could be seen. Unpaired axial elements were found to be specific for the diplotene stage. The axes of the XY pair could be recognized from late zygotene up to diplotene.     

The meiotic structure and behavior of the strongly heteromorphic X/Y sex chromosomes of neotropical plethodontid salamanders of the genus Oedipina

Plethodontid salamanders in the genus Oedipina are characterized by a strongly heteromorphic sex-determining pair of X/Y chromosomes. The telocentric X chromosome and the subtelocentric Y chromosome are clearly distinguished from the autosomes and their behavior during meiosis can be sequentially followed in squash preparations of spermatocytes. In Oedipina the sex chromosomes are not obscured by an opaque sex vesicle during early meiotic stages, making it possible to observe details of sex bivalent structure and behavior not directly visible in other vertebrate groups. The sex chromosomes can first be distinguished from autosomal bivalents at the conclusion of zygotene, with X and Y synapsed only along a short segment at their non-centromeric ends, forming a bivalent that contrasts sharply with the completely synapsed autosomes. During pachytene, the XY bivalent becomes progressively shortened and more compact, disappearing as a visible structure when pachytene progresses into the diffuse stage of male meiosis. Diplotene bivalents gradually emerge from the diffuse nuclei, presumably by the return of the loops of chromatin into their respective chromomeres. During early diplotene, the X/Y bivalent is clearly visible with a single chiasma within the synapsed segment. This chiasma is terminalized by first meiotic metaphase with the X and Y appearing either in end-to-end synaptic contact or as univalents separated at opposite poles relative to the equatorially distributed autosomal bivalents. In C-banded preparations, the Y is entirely heterochromatic while the X contains a large centromeric C-band and another block of heterochromatin located at the telomeric end, in the region of synapsis with the Y. We find no cytological evidence of dosage compensation, such as differential staining of the X chromosomes or Barr bodies, in mitotic or interphase cells from female animals.     

Synaptonemal complexes in a subfertile man with a pericentric inversion in chromosome 21. Heterosynapsis without previous homosynapsis

Analysis of surface-spread synaptonemal complexes of zygotene and pachytene spermatocytes was carried out on a human male carrier of a pericentric inversion of chromosome 21 ascertained after four miscarriages. The synaptic behavior of the bivalent, which could be unambiguously identified by its nonaligned kinetochores, was analyzed. All zygotene and pachytene spermatocytes had 22 linearly paired autosomal bivalents, with apparently normal synaptonemal complexes, and no evidence of a loop configuration in the 50 cells analyzed. According to the XY type (classification of Solari), the cells were distributed across zygotene and pachytene stages, not exclusively in the late pachytene to which adjustment is conventionally thought to be confined. It is suggested that inverted segments heterosynapse at early pachytene, without previous homosynapsis. It is expected that this meiotic process leads to failure of crossing-over, reduces the production of unbalanced gametes, and the risk of recombinant offspring, but can increase the incidence of aneuploidy as a result of nondisjunction during meiosis I (a frequent cause of pregnancy wastage).     

Under what circumstances is the human XY bivalent tangled? A note on chromosomally-derived sterility

A microspread, early-mid diplotene nucleus of a man with a normal karyotype and presumably normal meiosis is compared with a similar, earlier described nucleus of a man with meiotic arrest, heterozygous for a (14;21) Robertsonian translocation (Rosenmann et al., 1985). The axes of the XY bivalent of normal diplotene have an extremely tangled configuration, whereas those of the meiotically-arrested cell are straight, recalling the shape of the XY which is normally found in early pachytene. The morphological reversal from the complex configuration to a simpler shape may be associated with reactivation of the sex chromosome(s). Such a reactivation may be responsible for the sterility of the carrier of the Robertsonian translocation which thus may be considered as chromosomally-derived. The diplotene cells shown here have autosomal bivalents with continuous axes and various degrees of focal separation as is typical for diplotene in general. The observations on axis continuity, bivalent segmental dilatations, and XY tanglement in diplotene are compared with findings by others in human ultrathin sectioned material.     

Sequential analysis of synaptonemal complexes in the repopulating spermatocytes of Rattus norvegicus after restricting the germ cell population to spermatogonia by gossypol treatment

Synaptonemal complexes of the repopulating spermatocytes of male rats were analyzed day by day using silver-stained surface spread nuclei between 8 and 25 days after restricting the germ cell population to spermatogonia by treatment of gossypol acetic acid at 30 mg/kg body weight/day for 70 days. The method allowed sequential analysis of male meiotic prophase on successive days after the last day of treatment. The leptotene cells appeared on day 11 and were characterized by a network of lateral elements and large nucleolar bodies in a diffuse mass. On day 13 the unpaired lateral elements and short stretches of synaptonemal complexes characteristic for zygotene could be seen. Pachytene nuclei showing 20 autosomal synaptonemal complexes and XY axes appeared on day 15. The diplotene cells were defined on day 22 by the loss of a complete synaptonemal complex set and by the appearance of disjoined lateral elements and persistent segments of synaptonemal complexes.     

Effects of the male contraceptive agent gossypol on meiotic chromosomes of the male rat

Synaptonemal complexes (SCs) of rat spermatocytes were analyzed in silver-stained meiotic preparations 10-24 days after treatment with gossypol acetic acid, 30 mg/kg/day, for 70 days. Gossypol did not affect SC formation or function, as judged by the absence of pairing anomalies, SC fragmentation, or presynaptic arrest. The unpaired lateral axes could be seen at zygotene, and at pachytene normal SCs could be observed. The behavior of the XY axes also appeared to be normal.     

The morphological sequence of XY pairing in the Norway rat Rattus norvegicus

The sequence of XY pairing at meiotic prophase in the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus, has been studied in spread preparations of spermatocytes obtained from pubertal males. As in most mammals, sex chromosome pairing is delayed in relation to that of the autosomes. At one stage in pachytene, the Y is fully paired in synaptonemal complex association with about one-third of the X. Observation in spread preparations at pachytene and diplotene and in air-dried metaphase I preparations indicates that the long arm of the Y pairs with the short arm of the X. Pairing of the Y with both ends of the X is seen in about 4% of pachytene spermatocytes. The possibility that XY pairing in the rat may be nonhomologous (Ashley 1983) is considered, and the view is expressed that the XY synaptonemal complex may be incomplete in fine structural detail, thus not providing for the effective pairing required in true reciprocal recombination. The same mechanism that excludes crossing over from heterochromatic regions of autosomes may also operate to minimize or prevent crossing over in the sex pair of mammals.     

Clastogenic effects of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum. II. Induction of chromosomal aberrations in primary spermatocytes and spermatogonial stem cells of mice

The clastogenic effect of the anticancer drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (cisplatin) on meiotic prophase in primary spermatocytes and on spermatogonial stem cells of male (101/E1 x C3H/E1)F1 mice was studied. The intraperitoneal doses of cisplatin tested were 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 mg/kg. Chromosomal aberrations were examined at diakinesis-metaphase 1 of meiosis 1-13 days after treatment, representing cells treated at diplotene, pachytene, zygotene, leptotene an preleptotene. Reciprocal translocations were evaluated 63-70 days after treatment, representing treated stem-cell spermatogonia. Cisplatin had a toxic effect in zygotene to preleptotene of meiosis, as indicated by the significant reduction in testicular weight. At diplotene, pachytene and zygotene no enhancement of aberrations was found. An increase in aberrant cells was observed during leptotene with preleptotene being the most sensitive stage. The dose-response relationship for aberrant cells was linear on day 13 after treatment. It is concluded that, like mitomycin C (Adler, 1976), cisplatin primarily caused aberrations during the premeiotic phase of DNA synthesis. No significant increase of translocation multivalents was found after treatment of stem-cell spermatogonia.     

The behaviour and structure of the sex chromosomes in spermatocytes of Microtus oeconomus

The meiotic behaviour and structure of the sex chromosomes of Microtus oeconomus (2n=30) in Giemsa stained preparations are described. The X-Y pair appears as a sex vesicle at late zygotene. At late pachytene an unfolded sex vesicle is visible. A condensed sex vesicle appears during pre-diffuse diplotene and starts to unfold again during post-diffuse diplotene. At diakinesis and metaphase I the X and Y chromosomes can be recognized in an end-to-end association. During anaphase I, interkinesis and metaphase II the sex chromosomes are heteropycnotic and can therefore easily be recognized during the final stages of meiosis. During spermiogenesis the X and Y chromosomes can be identified in Giemsa stained preparations until the stage of spermatid elongation.     

Identification of two major components of the lateral elements of synaptonemal complexes of the rat

This paper describes the identification of two major components of the lateral elements of synaptonemal complexes of the rat by immunocytochemical techniques. We prepared monoclonal antibodies against synaptonemal complexes (SCs) by immunization of mice with purified SCs. One of these antibodies, II52F10, reacts with a 30 and a 33 kDa polypeptide, which are major components of purified SCs. Using this antibody, we studied the localization of its antigens light microscopically, by means of the indirect immunoperoxidase technique, as well as ultrastructurally, by means of the immunogold labeling technique. The immunolocalization was carried out on whole-mount preparations of lysed spermatocytes. The antibody reacts with paired as well as unpaired segments of zygotene, pachytene and diplotene SCs. In light microscopic preparations, the attachment plaques, particularly those of late pachytene and diplotene SCs, also appear to react strongly. In electron micrographs the lateral elements in paired as well as unpaired segments could be seen to react. No reaction was observed in the attachment plaques; however, in late pachytene and diplotene SCs the swollen terminal segments of the lateral elements did react with the antibody. Thus, we conclude that a 30 and a 33 kDa polypeptide make part of the lateral elements of synaptonemal complexes of the rat.     

Ultrastructure of the synaptic autosomes and the ZW bivalent in chicken oocytes

Chromosomal axes of chicken oocytes from pre- and post-hatching chickens were analyzed with a microspreading technique for electron microscopy. At leptotene, chromosomal axes begin to be formed as discontinuous, non-polarized axial segments. During zygotene synaptonemal complex (SC) formation begins at the axial ends attached to the nuclear envelope. Polarization of axial ends is nearly simultaneous with the beginning of SC formation. The complete SC set is found at pachytene and it consists of 38 SC's and an unequal SC which has been identified as the ZW pair. This unequal SC is formed by two axes of different length. The Z and W axes represent 6.2% and 4.5% respectively of the combined length of the SC set plus the Z axis. The unpaired segment of the Z axis shortens markedly from early to mid-pachytene and becomes thicker than the lateral elements of SCs. In the paired region the Z axis forms most of the twists around a straighter W axis, suggesting some extent of non-homologous pairing between the Z and W chromosomes in this region. The existence of partial synapsis of the Z and W axes without heteropycnosis of the sex chromosomes is in marked contrast to partial synapsis in the heteropycnotic XY body of mammalian spermatocytes.     

Clastogenic effects of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum II. Induction of chromosomal aberrations in primary spermatocytes and spermatogonial stem cells of mice

The clastogenic effect of the anticancer drug cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) on meiotic prophase in primary spermatocytes and on spermatologonial stem cells of male (101/E1 × C3H/E1)F₁ mice was studied. The intraperitoneal doses of cisplatin tested were 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 mg/kg. Chromosomal aberrations were examined at diakinesis-metaphase 1 of meiosis 1–13 days after treatment, representing cells treated at diplotene, pachytene, zygotene, leptotene an preleptotene. Reciprocal translocations were evaluated 63–70 days after treatment, representing treated stem-cell spermatogonia.Cisplatin had a toxic effect in zygotene to preleptotene of meiosis, as indicated by the significant reduction in testicular weight. At diplotene, pachytene and zygotene no enhancement of aberrations was found. An increase in aberrant cells was observed during leptotene with preleptotene being the most sensitive stage. The dose-response relationship for aberrant cells was linear on day 13 after treatment. It is concluded that, like mitomycin C (Alder, 1976), cisplatin primarily caused aberrations during the premeiotic phase of DNA synthesis. No significant increase of translocation multivalents was found after treatment of stem-cell spermatogonia.     

A sequential analysis of meiosis in the male mouse using a restricted spermatocyte population obtained by a hydroxyurea/triaziquone treatment

A method is described to restrict the spermatocyte population in mice and other rodents using hydroxyurea (HU) and triaziquone (T). HU affects cells in S-phase, whereas T is an agent especially active on spermatogonia and not on spermatocytes. An application of three i.p. HU injections with 12 h intervals, followed about nine days later by one i.p. T injection creates two large gaps in the spermatogenic line. The two gaps enclose a small, well-defined group of primary spermatocytes in meiotic interphase. — The development of the restricted spermatocyte population is followed day by day. The analysis of meiosis in male mice has revealed the correct sequence of meiotic, and especially prophase I stages. On account of clearly visible differences in chromosome morphology the diplotene stage could be divided into three periods. It is suggested to use the following nomenclature: pre-diffuse diplotene, diffuse diplotene and post-diffuse diplotene. The experiment was also informative about the timing of the stages in spermatocyte development by correlating the days at which the successive stages were observed with the corresponding stage of the epithelial cycle. The calculation of the position and duration of the diffuse diplotene, enables us to put forward a proposal about the significance of the diffuse diplotene. — A combination of the HU/T method with cell separation techniques provides good perspectives for detailed biochemical studies on processes taking place during meiosis.     

A light- and electron microscopic analysis of meiotic prophase in female mice

In this paper we describe meiotic prophase of female mice on successive days of embryonic and early postnatal development. For this purpose we used three different techniques on ovarian material, i.e., Giemsa staining for the light microscopic study of chromatin, silver staining for the light microscopic study of the synaptonemal complex (SC), and agar filtration followed by uranyl acetate staining for the electron microscopic study of the SC. — In all types of preparation it was impossible to distinguish leptotene stages, and we conclude that if leptotene really exists, it is of very short duration. — Two types of zygotene stages were found: the “normal” one, resembling zygotene stages in male mice, and a second type that has never been described in males and is characterized by, probably stable, unpaired regions together with totally unpaired axial elements of the SC. — The duration of pachytene was found to be 3–4 days, which is considerably shorter than in males. During early diplotene despiralization of the chromatin and disintegration of the axes of the SC were usually found together with desynapsis. — A considerable variation in distribution of meiotic stages was found between different litters in the same day of gestation. Fetuses in the same litter showed no significant variation. However, the oocytes in an ovary did not pass through meiosis synchronously, with differences up to several days. The appearance of chromosomes in a highly contracted state could not be interpreted as a preleptotene condensation stage but probably is a mitotic phenomenon.     

Synaptonemal complex karyotyping in spermatocytes of the Chinese hamster (Cricetulus griseus)

Relative length is a constant and distinctive characteristic for each autosomal SC, despite variations in absolute length from cell to cell. Arm ratio is distinctive for each SC except for two of the three sub-acrocentrics, and serves, together with relative length, for identification. The constancy of relative length and arm ratios indicates biological stability and lack of physical distortion in these spread preparations. There is a 11 relationship between relative lengths of autosomal SCs and mitotic autosomes; their arm ratios are also similar. These close parallels provide strikingly similar SC and somatic karyotypes. Variability was observed in sub-acrocentric arm ratios and in lengths of unpaired X and Y axes, correlated with the presence of constitutive heterochromatin. — Utilizing progressive differentiations of the X and Y chromosomes for staging, it is demonstrated that autosomal SCs decrease in length from late zygotene to mid-pachytene, and then increase at late pachytene. Within a nucleus, synchrony of length changes is maintained. It is concluded that the factors governing autosomal SC length are regular for any given bivalent from cell to cell, and may be related to those that control somatic autosome length relationships. — The X and Y axes differ quantitatively as well as qualitatively from autosomal SCs. The SC portion of the X and Y is constant in length through most of pachytene; the unpaired axes shorten and lengthen, but not in proportion to autosomal SCs. X and Y relative lengths and arm ratios vary throughout pachytene and do not maintain proportionality with somatic values. The evidence suggests, but does not prove, that the long arm of the X is paired with the short arm of the Y. — Twists occur in autosomal SCs at increasing frequencies throughout pachytene but cannot account for length changes. The number of twists per SC is directly proportional to SC length. Intertwining of SCs is random and proportional to SC length. End-to-end associations of autosomal SCs appear to be random; however, the ends of the X and Y are less often involved in such connections. — The length of axial material in all chromosomes at pachytene, expressed as an equivalent length of DNA double helix, represents 0.013% of the diploid DNA complement.     

Arrest of spermatogenesis at the early meiotic stage in the small testis mutant (Smt) mice.

A spontaneous mutant having small testes was found in a laboratory mouse strain of mixed origins. The testis size was 1/3-1/2 of normal size, but no significant difference was seen in body mass and weight of organs such as kidney and seminal vesicle, which are influenced by androgen. Small testis males were found to be infertile by the mating test, although formation of a vaginal plug was normally observed in their female partners. Histological and air-dried specimens revealed degeneration of zygotene or early pachytene spermatocytes and very few numbers of pachytene and diplotene spermatocytes, round and elongate spermatids and mature spermatozoa in the mutant testis. Therefore, it was concluded that spermatogenesis is disrupted at the zygotene to early pachytene stages of meiosis in the mutant males. Segregation ratios of normal and mutant males were in accord with the assumption that the small testis character is caused by an autosomal recessive mutation. This mutant may be useful for research that would contribute to the elucidation of genetic mechanisms controlling the process of spermatogenesis and as a model animal for male infertility in humans.     

Meiosis in Coprinus. VIII. A time-course study of the fusion and division of the spindle pole body during meiosis

The time-course study of meiosis in the fungus Coprinus cinereus (C. lagopus) by electron microscopy reveals that two monoglobular spindle pole bodies (SPB's) of prekaryogamy nuclei come together during karyogamy and are fused. The fusion SPB of postkaryogamy nucleus persists through zygotene and pachytene as evidenced by the presence of axial components and synaptonemal complexes. At early diplotene, the SPB divides. The divided SPB takes on a diglobular form, which grows in size to form two daughter SPB's. These separate and move to opposite poles at metaphase I.     

The sequential appearance of components of the synaptonemal complex during meiosis of the female rat.

This paper describes the light microscopy (LM) and electron microscopy (EM) localization of synaptonemal complex (SC) antigens in oocytes of rats. For this purpose, we used monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) that recognize components of 30 + 33, 125, and 190 kDa antigens of SCs of rat spermatocytes. The LM localization was performed by immunofluorescence and the EM localization by immunogold staining. The reaction of the Mabs with oocytes was similar to the reaction with spermatocytes, but weaker. The 30 + 33 kDa as well as the 190 kDa antigens could always be demonstrated if axial elements of the SC were present, irrespective of whether these were paired or unpaired. Thus, these antigens could be detected from leptotene--early zygotene until diplotene. The 190-kDa antigen appeared in a diffuse manner just before the appearance of the 30 + 33 kDa antigens. The 30 + 33 kDa antigens were not only detected in the axial elements of SCs but also in characteristic aggregates, which appeared in zygotene and persisted until after the SCs had disappeared. Such aggregates had rarely been observed in spermatocytes. The 125 kDa antigen was only present in the tripartite segments of SCs, at the inner edge of the lateral elements. Thus, the reaction of the Mab against the 125 kDa antigen was detectable in zygotene, pachytene, and very early diplotene. It appeared later than 30 + 33 kDa and 190 kDa antigens and it disappeared earlier. We found that several steps of the immunostaining procedure could cause variation in the intensity of the Mab reaction.     

Sequential study of synaptonemal complexes in mouse spermatocytes by light and electron microscopy

Synaptonemal complex (SC) studies in male mice from the beginning of meiosis to its completion (7–40 days of age) indicate: (1) the existence of a leptotene stage with fragmented and completely unpaired axial elements; (2) that synapsis begins at several different initiation points of the axial elements, resulting in X-shaped and Y-shaped configurations; (3) that interlocking of axial elements at zygotene is a normal phenomenon; and (4) that zygotene (presynaptic) and diplotene (postsynaptic) configurations are different from each other. This investigation received financial support from the special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, World Health Organization.