Intercellular bridges between follicle cells and oocyte in the lizard, Anolis carolinensis

Abstract

Certain cells in the follicular epithelium of lizard (Anolis caro‐linensis) ovaries are connected to the oocyte by true intercellular bridges. Unlike other known intercellular bridges, these may form by secondary cell contact and membrane fusion rather than by incomplete cytokinesis. These intercellular bridges are abundant in previtellogenic tertiary follicles, and they contain glyco‐gen, ribonucleoprotein particles, and a dense, fibro‐granular material which may be exchanged between the two cells. Prior to the onset of yolk accumulation in the oocyte, the intercellular bridges and the pyriform cells from which they originated disappear from the follicular epithelium. The abundance of intercellular bridges in previtellogenic follicles suggests that they may be involved in the maintenance of dormant oocytes during periods of suspended reproductive activity and in the preparation of these oocytes for ensuing periods of intense metabolic activity associated with yolk accumulation.