Visualizing Pollen and Pollen Tube Development Using Fluorescence Microscopy

There are two main methods of studying pollen grains and pollen tubes using fluorescence microscopy: immunocytochemical reaction with antibodies and techniques using fluorescent dyes. The protocols described cover issues related to the immunocytochemical labeling of structural components in pollen grains and pollen tubes, as well as the detection of individual components during in vivo observations of the processes of development and growth of pollen tubes. The first approach is based on sectioned and fixed material, while the other method involves in vivo observations of the pollen tube culture and germinating pollen grains. The protocol describes the step-by-step procedure of analyses, provides information on the required reagents and equipment, and summarizes basic troubleshooting during the performance of individual technical stages.