Ultrastructural Studies on the Cabbage Butterfly, Pieris rapae L. II. Ovarian Development and Oogenesis

배추흰나비 (Pieris rapae L.)의 미세구조에 관한 연구 II. 난소(卵巢)의 발생(發生)과 난성숙(卵成熟)

A observation of the ovarian development and oogenesis of Pieris rapae Linne has been carried out during metamorphosis using stereo-microscope, light microscope and electron microscope. The results obtained through this experiment are as follows: 1. The ovarian development and vitellogenesis begin at the 3-day old pupa and the 6-day old pupa respectively, and the adult ovary right after their emergence contains a few mature eggs. 2. The species described above are further observed at six different stages in oogenesis, and the results are summarized as follows. 1) Pieris rapae has polytrophic ovarioles. The cell organelles of the nurse cells are transfered to the oocyte through the ring canal at the early oogenesis. 2) At stage 2, the nuclear envelope of oocyte nucleus is less infolding than that of nurse cell nucleus. In the oocyte cytoplasm a large number of ribosomes are observed. 3) At stage 3 and 4, many micropinocytotic vesicles are observed in the oocyte cytoplasm. These vesicles are fused together to form large proteid yolks. 4) At stage 5, the vitelline membrane is laid down in the intercellular space between the follicle cells and oocyte. 5) At stage 6, the chorion is formed by the follicle cells. 6) A micropyle and a number of aeropyle are observed on the surface of a mature egg.