Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, Vol s2-76, 243-256, Copyright © 1934 by Company of Biologists

Memoirs: Cytoplasmic Inclusions in the Eggs of certain Indian Snakes

¹ Formerly Research Scholar, University of Allahabad, India

1. Golgi bodies are juxtanuclear in the early stages after which they migrate towards the cortex, getting finally dispersed in the cytoplasm. Some of the elements in the early stages swell up and become round; this stage is followed by the formation of fatty-yolk bodies. In general the individual Golgi elements have a lightly staining centre surrounded by a heavily impregnated rim. Sometimes they also appear as crescents in section. These bodies are also present in the theca and the follicle cells of the oocyte and periodically ‘infiltrate’ inwards into the cortical region.

2. Mitochondria are feebly developed, and whenever met with are granular in early stages and dust-like and more peripheral in advanced oocytes.

3. Patty yolk is short-lived and is formed in the cytoplasm under the influence of a number of Golgi bodies.

4. Albuminous yolk appears late in the development of the oocyte. It arises in the cytoplasm, sometimes in vesicles and sometimes in association with mitochondria in the peripheral region.

5. The four species of snake examined, Zamenis mucosus, Gongylophis conicus, Tropidonotus stolatus , and Tropidonotus piscator, are not very dissimilar with regard to the origin and behaviour of their cytoplasmic inclusions.