Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 27, 2025
04:37
Reproductive Techniques for Ovarian Monitoring and Control in Amphibians
Published on: May 12, 2019
15.7K
SOME FEMALE COORDINATING FACTORS IN AMPHIBIAN FERTILIZATION
1Instituto de Biología, Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, República Argentina.
Development, Growth & Differentiation
|June 7, 2023
Summary
Bufo arenarum oocyte fertility is sensitive to hydration levels. Critical hydration (300-400%) causes infertility, but ions, egg water, or pH changes can restore fertility in oocyte strings.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Amphibian oocyte physiology
Background:
- Oocyte hydration is crucial for fertility.
- The ionic composition of surrounding media affects oocyte water uptake.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of hydrating media volume and ionic composition on Bufo arenarum oocyte string fertility.
- To determine critical hydration levels affecting oocyte fertility.
Main Methods:
- Immersion of oocyte strings in ionic and non-ionic media of equal volumes.
- Measuring oocyte hydration percentages relative to original weight.
- Assessing fertility recovery through ionic addition, egg water, pH modification, and thioglycolate treatment.
Main Results:
- Oocyte strings hydrated more in non-ionic media compared to ionic media at equal volumes.
- Fertility was lost at 300-400% hydration (critical hydration).
- Fertility was recoverable at critical and extensive hydration levels (>500%) via ionic/pH adjustments, with thioglycolate aiding recovery at extensive hydration.
Conclusions:
- Bufo arenarum oocyte fertility is significantly influenced by hydration levels and ionic environment.
- Specific ionic concentrations and pH are essential for maintaining oocyte fertility.
- Egg water exhibits buffering capacity (pH 5.5-7.0) and aids in fertility recovery without affecting acrosomic proteinase release.
Related Concept Videos
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
6.6K
Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
6.6K
01:38Fertilization
71.2K
During fertilization, an egg and sperm cell fuse to create a new diploid structure. In humans, the process occurs once the egg has been released from the ovary, and travels into the fallopian tubes. The process requires several key steps: 1) sperm present in the genital tract must locate the egg; 2) once there, sperm need to release enzymes to help them burrow through the protective zona pellucida of the egg; and 3) the membranes of a single sperm cell and egg must fuse, with the sperm...
71.2K
01:15Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus
922
Development of the reproductive organs in an embryo starts from a bipotential state. This means the early embryo can develop either male or female reproductive organs. The formation of these organs begins with the growth of gonadal ridges that arise from the intermediate mesoderm during the fifth week of development.
Near the gonadal ridges, two duct systems are present: the mesonephric ducts (Wolffian ducts) and paramesonephric ducts (Müllerian ducts). These ducts form the basis for the...
Near the gonadal ridges, two duct systems are present: the mesonephric ducts (Wolffian ducts) and paramesonephric ducts (Müllerian ducts). These ducts form the basis for the...
922
02:45The Ratio of X Chromosome to Autosomes
8.6K
In most organisms, sex is determined by the ratio of X and Y chromosomes. However, in some organisms, such as Drosophila and C.elegans, sex is determined by the ratio of the number of X chromosomes to the number of sets of autosomes. The Y chromosome in Drosophila is active but does not determine sex. It contains genes responsible for the production of sperms in adult flies.
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female...
Normal male Drosophila has a ratio of one X chromosome to two sets of autosomes. In contrast, normal female...
8.6K
01:41Spermatogenesis
102.7K
Spermatogenesis is the process by which haploid sperm cells are produced in the male testes. It starts with stem cells located close to the outer rim of seminiferous tubules. These spermatogonial stem cells divide asymmetrically to give rise to additional stem cells (meaning that these structures “self-renew”), as well as sperm progenitors, called spermatocytes. Importantly, this method of asymmetric mitotic division maintains a population of spermatogonial stem cells in the male...
102.7K
01:51Lampbrush Chromosomes
7.9K
In 1882, Flemming observed lampbrush chromosomes (LBC) in salamander eggs. Later in 1892, Rückert observed LBCs in shark egg cells and coined the term "lampbrush chromosomes" because they looked like brushes used to clean kerosene lamps.
LBCs are made up of two pairs of conjugating homologous chromatids. Each chromatid consists of alternatively positioned regions of condensed-inactive chromatin and loosely placed-active side loops, which can be contracted and extended. The loops...
LBCs are made up of two pairs of conjugating homologous chromatids. Each chromatid consists of alternatively positioned regions of condensed-inactive chromatin and loosely placed-active side loops, which can be contracted and extended. The loops...
7.9K