Studies on morphology and metabolism of prothalli during GA3-induced formation of antheridia in Anemia phyllitidis

In Schizaeaceae ferns, including Anemia phyllitidis, formation of antheridia is known to be induced by exogenously applied gibberellic acid. Also present studies show that GA₃ (10⁻⁵ mol·dm⁻³) modifies the development of gametophytes of Anemia phyllitidis. Simultaneously with formation of antheridia, they exhibit lower number of cells but only slightly lowered profile areas and lengths of prothalli. Growth in size of individual cells compensates for lowered division frequency. Cytophotometric measurements reveal no essential changes in the DNA content in vegetative cells of the control and GA₃-stimulated gametophytes. It remains at haploid level and therefore it is assumed that cell cycle is blocked at G1 phase. Application of GA₃ increases the total amount of proteins. CZE (Capillary Zone Electrophoresis) separation of peptides extracted from control and GA₃-treated prothalli indicates the differences in the ratio of their particular forms. In GA₃-treated gametophytes the activities of acid and basic phosphatases, contents of carbohydrates (glucose, starch), chlorophyll, the number of chloroplasts and dry mass of prothalli are increased. GA₃-intensified metabolism, evidenced in gametophytes of A. phyllitidis, may be interpreted as a stimulatory mechanism which influences metabolic pathways involved in forming, developing and maturing of male sex organs.