CORTICAL ALVEOLI FORMATION AND VITELLOGENESIS DURING OOCYTE DIFFERENTIATION IN PIPEFISH SYNGNATHUS FUSCUS AND KILLIFISH FUNDULUS HETEROCLITUS

The formation of cortical alveoli and yolk has been investigated in the pipe‐fish, Syngnathus fuscus, and the killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus by techniques of light and electron microscopy. In addition to cortical alveoli and yolk components the ooplasm contains many mitochondria, numerous Golgi complexes, copious quantities of the endoplasmic reticulum of the rough variety, ribosomes and particulate glycogen. While the formation of cortical alveoli and yolk may proceed simultaneously, the cortical alveoli are the first to develop. Staining procedures indicate that cortical alveoli, like some of the yolk bodies contain a polysaccharide component and protein. It is suggested that the protein portion is made by the endoplasmic reticulum and is subsequently transferred to the Golgi complex via vesicles. Within the saccules of the Golgi complex the polysaccharide component is fabricated after which time the Golgi produce vesicles containing the products of either the cortical alveoli or yolk bodies. The precursors used in the production of the yolk are produced by the oocyte (endogenous) and by an organ other than the ovary (exogenous). The precursors made exogenously become associated with the morphologically and physiologically specialized oolemma and are subsequently internalized by the process of micropinocytosis. Copyright © 1968 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.