In Vitro Male Meiosis in the Domestic Cricket (Acheta domesticus)

Abstract

1. A relatively simple and reproducible technique is described for the time lapse cinemicrographic recording of the biographies of male germ cells in Acheta domesticus, utilising testicular fluids as a maintenance medium.
2. Several types of biographies were recorded, depending upon whether or not cytokinesis had occurred. Although all the spermatogonia observed underwent cytokinesis, spermatocytes varied in their ability to do so. More primary spermatocytes displayed cytokinesis than secondary spermatocytes. When cytoplasmic division failed to occur, reformed nuclei either remained discrete or fused. Fusion of secondary spermatocytes was also observed. This consistently occurred in the prometaphase and fused cells always exhibited cytokinesis.
3. The behavior of highly refractile small granular aggregates was also described. These were very mobile yet occupied predictable positions during prophase and metaphase, and had consistent configurations in late anaphase. The masses were frequently distributed assymetrically across the cytokinetic furrow.