Natural degenerating mitochondria in ovarian follicles of a cyprinodontidae fish, Epiplatys spilargyreus (teleost)

• Published in: Molecular reproduction and development Vol. 32; no. 1; p. 67
• Main Authors: Thiaw, O T, Mattei, X
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.05.1992
• Subjects: Animals; Female; Fishes - anatomy & histology; Mitochondria - ultrastructure; Oogenesis; Ovarian Follicle - ultrastructure; Vacuoles - ultrastructure
• ISSN: 1040-452X
• DOI: 10.1002/mrd.1080320111

This study examines the evolution of mitochondria in the follicular cells during the development of the ovarian follicle in the teleostean fish Epiplatys spilargyreus. The mitochondria are few in number until the end of previtellogenesis; their matrix is dense, and their cristae are well developed. They proliferate during vitellogenesis and then are modified by deterioration of their matrix. Multilamellar structures are organized in the vacuolized mitochondria. During postvitellogenesis, these modifications become more advanced. The mitochondria degenerate, leaving vacuoles that contain heterogeneous structures, which will be released into the intercellular spaces. At the end of these mitochondrial transformations, the follicular cells degenerate. They release the elements which will participate in forming the secondary envelope.