Identification and structure of lampbrush sex bivalents prior to and after the reproductive period of the European domestic goose Anser anser

Folia Biol (Krakow). 2009;57(3-4):143-8. doi: 10.3409/fb57_3-4.143-148.

Abstract

Lampbrush chromosomes (LBCs) present in bird oocytes are a new model in cytogenetics with particular significance for bird chromosome analysis. The fact that female birds are heterogametic makes it possible to observe both sex chromosomes in the form of decondensed structures typical of lampbrush chromosomes. A change in transcription activity associated with physiological processes in geese prior to and after the reproductive season is reflected in chromosome morphology. Lampbrush chromosomes obtained after the reproductive period have reduced side loops, sites of intensive transcriptional activity. However, noticeable characteristics in the chromosomes include inactive chromomeres. Chiasms, PBs, large side loops (ML) and telomeric loops (T, TLL, and GLL) are structures that undergo degradation latest after the termination of reproduction, and as a result, constitute the basis of identification of individual bivalents in different periods of the cell's transcriptional activity.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Female
  • Geese / genetics
  • Geese / physiology*
  • Karyotyping
  • Oocytes / physiology*
  • Sex Chromosomes / genetics
  • Sex Chromosomes / physiology*