On the infiltration of golgi bodies from the follicular epithelium to the egg

Abstract

1. In a well advanced oocyte of the tortoise the egg membranes besides the theca and the single-layered epithelium consist of a zona pellucida often differentiated into zona striata and a homogeneous layer; underlying these two layers is a layer of cortical fibrillae or fibrillar layer, Next to this layer, is the limiting membrane of the egg which is not present in all stages and generally disappears in a well developed oocyte. In certain animals either the homogeneous layer or fibrillar layer is absent. 2. In certain animals, golgi bodies seem to be extruded into the follicle cells from the theca cells. 3. At a particular stage of development the follicle cells become very active and produce a large number of small golgi bodies. These golgi granules filter through canalicular passages of the zona radiata into either the homogeneous layer and from thence into the fibrillar layer or where a homogeneous layer is not present directly to the fibrillar layer. Where a fibrillar layer is not present they are transferred directly to the limiting membrane and from thence to the egg. 4. In certain cases e. g. in Fowl, Calotes and Uromastix, fairly large lumps of Golgi bodies are extruded from the follicle cells through the zona pellucida into the egg. Here the fine canilicular passages do not seem to form a vehicle for the passage of these comparatively larger bodies. 5. The fine canalicular passages in the zona radiata of Testudo graeca and Kachuga smithii and the fibrillar prolongation of the cytoplasm which we have called the fibrillar layer are marked features of the egg membranes at certain stages of development of the egg. During the period when infiltration of golgi bodies through these passages takes place slides prepared by silver nitrate and osmic methods show black beaded chains of golgi granules in various stages of descent. 6. It is claimed that the extrusion and infiltration of golgi bodies from the follicular epithelium to the egg are established phenomena at least in the vertebrates.