Sex chromosome meiotic drive systems in Drosophila melanogaster I. Abnormal spermatid development in males with a heterochromatin-deficient X chromosome (sc-4sc-8)

Genetics. 1975 Apr;79(4):613-34. doi: 10.1093/genetics/79.4.613.

Abstract

The meiotic drive chracteristics of the In(1)sc-4Lsc-8R/Y system have been examined by genetic analysis and by light and electron microscopy. sc-4sc8-/Y males show a direct correlation between nondisjunction frequency and meiotic drive. Temperature-shift experiments reveal that the temperature-sensitive period for nondisjunction is at meiosis, whereas that for meiotic drive has both meiotic and post-meiotic components. Cytological analyses in the light and electron microscopes reveal failures in spermiogenesis in the tests of sc-4sc-8 males. The extent of abnormal spermatid development increases as nondisjunction becomes more extreme.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Drosophila melanogaster* / physiology
  • Drosophila melanogaster* / ultrastructure
  • Female
  • Gene Frequency*
  • Heterochromatin*
  • Male
  • Meiosis*
  • Microscopy, Electron
  • Probability
  • Sex Chromosomes* / analysis
  • Spermatids*
  • Spermatogenesis
  • Spermatozoa*
  • Temperature
  • Testis / physiology

Substances

  • Heterochromatin