title: Induction of gametogenesis in the basal cnidarian Nematostella vectensis(Anthozoa).
abstract: A protocol was established to reproducibly induce spawning in the basal cnidarian Nematostella vectensis (Anthozoa). We found that a combination of feeding regime, dark-light cycle and temperature shift synergistically induced gametogenesis in adult polyps. Females lay between 100-600 eggs. This procedure led reproducibly to the production of thousands of eggs over the course of more than 1 year in weekly cycles. Gametes are released in a time window of about 2 h resulting in predictable and fairly synchronized development. We also present a method for in vitro fertilization allowing manipulation of early embryos. These methods as well as the simple culture conditions could provide important prerequisites for the use of Nematostella as a model system for the development of a basal Metazoa.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Cell Biology, Zoological Institute, Darmstadt University of Technology, Schnittspahnstrasse 10, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany.
authors.forename: Jens H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Fritzenwanker
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Technau
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003063:Cnidaria / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*; D005502:Food; D005718:Gametogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D008027:Light; D013696:Temperature