Intercellular bridges in ovarian follicle cells of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Intercellular bridges have been detected in ovarian follicle cells of Drosophila melanogaster. These bridges occur widely between follicle cells of previtellogenic chambers, while, in vitellogenic chambers, they become restricted to the columnar follicle cells. Usually, only one bridge is detectable between adjacent follicle cells, but a single cell may form two cytoplasmic continuities. The fine structure of the intercellular bridges is similar to that previously described in the development of Drosophila. The bridge wall consists of two layers of which the more external is more electron dense and thinner than the inner one. The role played by the intercellular bridges in the determination of a synchronous differentiation of the linked follicle cells is discussed in relation to the known behaviour of these cells in the secretion of the egg covering precursors.