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Quantitation of nuclear DNA in Ascaris lumbricoides: DNA constancy and chromatin diminution

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 April 2009

J. Pasternak  and
R. Barrell
J. Pasternak
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, CanadaN2L 3G1
R. Barrell
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, CanadaN2L 3G1

Summary

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The DNA contents of nuclei during gametogenesis and embryogenesis in Ascaris lumbricoides were measured by Feulgen-microspectrophoto-metry. The variability in the mean value for the haploid amount of DNA in sperm from different males processed at different times was not significant when sperm cell samples were taken from the same region of the seminal vesicle. As the sperm mature, the extent of uptake of Feulgen dye decreases nonsystematically. A similar phenomenon occurs during embryogenesis, and as noted by others, primary oocytes in the terminal portion of the oviduct become Feulgen-negative. Feulgen-positive primary oocytes maintain a 4C DNA value without significant variation. Notwithstanding the differences in Feulgen-DNA values in certain types of nuclei, our evidence supports the view that in Ascaris lumbricoides the amount of intraspecific DNA has a constant value between individual organisms and from one generation to the next. About 34% of the DNA of the zygote is lost through chromatin diminution at the third embryonic cleavage. This quantity represents 0·23 pg DNA per haploid equivalent.

Type
Research Article
Information
Genetics Research , Volume 27 , Issue 2 , April 1976 , pp. 339 - 348
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1976

References

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