Late prophase and first metaphase in female meiosis of Drosophila melanogaster

摘要

Details of the critical stages that precede the appearance of the metaphase bivalents in the female Drosophila melanogaster were studied in a comparison between whole-mount preparations and squash preparations. At the end of stage S13 the nuclear membrane breaks down, and the bivalents leave the chromocenter and become orientated on the first meiotic spindle. In stage S14 a metaphase I plate with separate bivalents is formed. A renewed survey of female meiosis in Drosophila melanogaster in relation to egg follicle stages is presented.