Ovary Transplants in Drosophila Melanogaster: Meiosis and Crossing-Over in Superfemales

Abstract

Superfemale individuals (3X, 2 sets of autosomes) usually die before eclosion; eclosed individuals are invariably sterile. Transplants of superfemale ovaries to [female] sterile hosts (diploids with rudimentary ovaries), made in late larval stages, develop normally and produce mature eggs which, on fertilization, may give rise to larvae. From the offspring of such transplanted ovaries it is inferred that crossing over does not occur and that meiosis is irregular in oocytes produced in superfemale ovaries.