Ultrastructural studies of oogenesis in some european amphibians.

Oogenesis was studied in adult Triturus vulgaris (Urodela) with the electron microscope. The oocytes investigated ranged between 50 μm and 1600 μm in diameter. Two types of yolk platelet formation were found. Since both types involve the incorporation of high numbers of pinocytotic vesicles they are believed to be of an extraoocytic origin. On the basis of the order of their appearance they were named primary and secondary yolk. Five different types of vesicles were found, which participate in a variety of activities, such as yolk formation and the formation of the Golgi apparatus. They originate from four different sources, namely the nuclear membrane, the cytoplasm in connection with ribosome-like particles, the Golgi apparatus and the plasma membrane through pinocytosis. The results obtained were discussed especially with respect to differences found between the anura and the urodela, such as the presence or absence of cortical granules or equivalent structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]