The production of spread synaptonemal complexes of meiocytes from animals and plants by a drying method

A spreading technique was used to prepare synaptonemal complexes from animals (Bombyx mori and Mus musculus spermatocytes) and plants (Zea mays microsporocytes). Suspension of hypotonically treated cells was spread over plastic-coated slides and air-dried. Fixed and phosphotungsten acid-stained spread preparations were studied by phase-contrast and electron microscopes. The spreading-through-drying method is more efficient and thereby more preferable as compared to the classical hypophase spreading technique.