Cytological and Morphological Studies on the Gametophytes of Ferns. (VI)

The vital staining of spermatozoids in ferns

Abstract

The present investigations were accomplished on the vital staining of spermatozoids in eight species of ferns, using the dyes which belong to the monoazo group and others. Beside these studies the influences of hydrogen ion concentration upon the vital staining were also examined. Among the structural portions of the living spermatozoid-body, the ones which are colored are not found in the nucleus, the cilia, and the globule, but found in the cilia bearing band, probably the contents (granules) of the globule and the border-brim. It is supposed that the dyes which belong to one group show no specific staining reaction upon a special portion of the spermatozoid, in other words, no strict and constant relationship can be found between the chemical constitution of the dye and the staining of the living spermatozoid in fern. The living spermatozoid is stained effectively in the weak acid solution and continues its movement in the alkaline solution. The present writer has to express here his most cordial thanks to Prof. Dr. A. Yuasa, College of General Education, Tokyo University and Prof. Dr. H. Ito, Tokyo University of Education, for their sincere instructions and influential advices in the course of this study.