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In vivo parthenogenetic activation of ovulated oocytes in a marsupial, Sminthopsis crassicaudata

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 September 2008

Rebecca Anderson  and
William G. Breed
Rebecca Anderson
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Histology, Univeristy of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia
William G. Breed*
Affiliation:
Department of Anatomy and Histology, Univeristy of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia
*
Dr W.G. Breed, Department of Anatomy and Histology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide SA 5005, Australia. Fax: (08) 224 0464.
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Summary

The occurrence of in vivo parthenogenesis is documented for laboratory-bred individuals of the Australian dasyurid marsupial, Sminthopsis crassicaudata. About 30% of females that had been isolated from males for a greater period of time than the length of pregnancy were found, on dissection of their uteri, to have embryos present. The embryos were surrounded by a mucoid coat and shell membrane and at least the first two cleavage divisions occurred normally. After this time, however, unequal cleavage divisions appeared to result. The parthenogenesis that takes place may be initiated as a result of activation of ageing ovulated oocytes. Its frequent occurrence may prove useful in a study of maternal and paternal contributions to early embryonic development in this species.

Keywords

MarsupialParthenogenesisSpontaneous activation
Type
Review Article
Information
Zygote , Volume 1 , Issue 3 , August 1993 , pp. 231 - 236
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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