Ribosome arrangement during oogenesis of Lacerta sicula Raf

Ribosomal bodies (RB), constituted of crystalline sheets of ribosomes interposed between flat parallel cisternae, are present in the oocyte and follicular cells of Lacerta sicula during the winter rest. During spring, the RB undergo progressive transformation into rough endoplasmic reticulum and free ribosomes, so that these formations are completely lacking during summer. The mechanism underlying the formation of RB and the possible significance that they may have for protein synthesis during oogenesis are discussed.