Cytochemistry of late ovarian chambers of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Late ovarian chambers of Drosophila melanogaster have been examined by ultrastructural cytochemistry in an attempt to characterize some of the transformations which precede the completion of oogenesis. From stage 11 onward peroxidase activity is present in the endoplasmic reticulum of both nurse cells and oocyte, as well as in the egg-covering precursors of the columnar follicle cells. Catalase activity is restricted to the very last stages of oogenesis (stage 13–14) and appears to be located in membrane-bound organelles of the ooplasm which are continuous with the endoplasmic reticulum. Because of the presence of catalase as well as by their structural appearance, these organelles are to be identified as microperoxisomes. Catalase activity becomes cytochemically detectable in the ooplasm somehow in coincidence with the formation of glycogen. Furthermore, glycogen is first formed in intimate association with alpha-1 yolk platelets. On the basis of these findings it is suggested that glycogen synthesis occurs by a process of gluconeogenesis.