Ovarian nests in cultured Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii and North American paddlefish Polyodon spathula comprised of previtellogenic oocytes.

Ovarian nests in the ovaries of sexually maturing Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii and North American paddlefish Polyodon spathula were investigated. They comprised early previtellogenic, diplotene stage oocytes and somatic cells. In the nucleoplasm, these oocytes contained chromatin in the form of grains, threads and lampbrush chromosomes, primary nucleoli and multiple nucleoli. Two stages of oocytes in nests were distinguished by differences in the distribution of mitochondria with distorted cristae and lipid droplets in the ooplasm. These stages were as follows: pre-early stage 1 (PE 1) and early stage 1 (EP 1) previtellogenic oocytes. In PE 1 oocytes few mitochondria with distorted cristae and lipid droplets were distributed randomly. The ooplasm of PE 1 oocytes was not differentiated into homogeneous and granular compartments. In EP 1 oocytes, mitochondria with distorted cristae were more numerous and grouped in the vicinity of the nucleus, lipid droplets accumulated near these mitochondria. In the nucleoplasm of EP 1 oocytes several low electron-dense spherical bodies, possibly Cajal bodies, were present.

Formation and structure of egg envelopes in Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii (Acipenseriformes: Acipenseridae).

The covering of the eggs in Russian sturgeon Acipenser gueldenstaedtii consists of three envelopes (the vitelline envelope, chorion and extrachorion) and is equipped with multiple micropyles. The most proximal to the oocyte is the vitelline envelope that consists of four layers of filamentous and trabecular material. The structural components of this envelope are synthesized by the oocyte (primary envelope). The chorion encloses the vitelline envelope. The extrachorion covers the external surface of the egg. Examination of the arrangement of layers that comprise the egg envelopes together with the ultrastructure of follicular cells revealed that the chorion and extrachorion are secondary envelopes. They are secreted by follicular cells and are built of homogeneous material. During formation of egg envelopes, the follicular cells gradually diversify into three morphologically different populations: 1) cells covering the animal oocyte region (cuboid), (2) main body cells (cylindrical) and (3) micropylar cells. The apical surfaces of follicular cells from the first two populations form processes that remain connected with the oocyte plasma membrane by means of gap junctions. Micropylar cells are located at the animal region of the oocyte. Their apical parts bear projections that form a barrier to the deposition of materials for egg envelopes, resulting in the formation of the micropylar canal.

Ultrastructure and function of nurse cells in phthirapterans. Possible function of ramified nurse cell nuclei in the cytoplasm transfer.

The structure of nurse cells as well as the distribution of cytoskeletal elements (actin filaments, microtubules) in three representatives of phthirapterans: the pig louse, Haematopinus suis (Anoplura) and bird lice, Eomenacanthus stramineus, Columbicola columbae (Mallophaga) were investigated. All three species have polytrophic-meroistic ovaries which means that each oocyte remains connected with a group of nurse cells via specialized cytoplasmic canals-intercellular bridges (ring canals). Throughout vitellogenesis, various macromolecules as well as organelles (mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum vesicles, ribosomes) are transferred from the nurse cells to the oocyte. During this flow, the nurse cell nuclei do not enter the oocyte and are retained in the cell centers. In holometabolous insects (e.g. Drosophila, hymenopterans), the central position of nurse cell nuclei is maintained by cytoskeletal elements (actin filaments or microtubules). In the investigated species, the nurse cells are equipped with large, highly extended (irregularly lobed) nuclei. The inner nuclear membrane is lined with a relatively thick layer of nuclear lamina. Ultrastructural analysis and staining with rhodamine-labeled phalloidin revealed that the nurse cell cytoskeleton is poorly developed and represented only by: (1) single microtubules in the perinuclear cytoplasm; and (2) the F-actin layer in the cortical cytoplasm. In the light of this, we postulate that in phthirapterans the position of nurse cell nuclei during the cytoplasm transfer is maintained not by the cytoskeletal elements, but by a largely extended shape of the nuclei (i.e. their elongated extensions).