title: Ultrastructural observations of the early and late stages of gorgonian coral (Junceella juncea) oocytes.
abstract: The developmental oogenesis of gorgonian coral was investigated at the histological level. The objective of this study was to examine and improve the understanding of Junceella juncea oogenesis using ultrastructural methods, such as histological sectioning and transmission electron microscopy. At least three types of yolk materials were observed in this study: yolk body, lipid granules and cortical alveoli. Some of the complex yolk materials were encompassed by concentric or arched layers of smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi complex in early stage oocytes. Different types of vesicles were found in both early and late stage oocytes and some granules could be seen inside the empty vesicles. This may be a possible method for elaborating complex yolk materials. Homogeneous yolks from different types of inclusions were abundant and the autosynthesis of yolk may be a major mechanism in J. juncea oocytes. This is the first report of the ultrastructural observation of oogenesis in gorgonian coral species using transmission electron microscopy. Our study obtained relatively detailed information at the ultrastructural level, and it provides an overview of the oocyte ultrastucture of the gorgonian coral J. juncea.
authors: Department of Biotechnology, Mingdao University, 369 Wen-Hua Road, Peetow, Chang Hua 52345, Taiwan, ROC.
authors: Sujune
authors: S
authors: Tsai
authors: Institute of Marine Biotechnology, National Dong Hwa University, 2 Houwan Road, Checheng, Pingtung, Taiwan, ROC.
authors: Yating
authors: Y
authors: Jhuang
authors: LIRANS Institute of Research in the Applied Natural Sciences, University of Bedfordshire, 250 Butterfield, Great Marlings, Luton, Bedfordshire LU2 8DL, UK.
authors: Emma
authors: E
authors: Spikings
authors: National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium, 2 Houwan Road, Checheng, Pingtung, Taiwan, ROC; Institute of Marine Biotechnology, National Dong Hwa University, 2 Houwan Road, Checheng, Pingtung, Taiwan, ROC.
authors: Ping-Jyun
authors: PJ
authors: Sung
authors: National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium, 2 Houwan Road, Checheng, Pingtung, Taiwan, ROC; Institute of Marine Biotechnology, National Dong Hwa University, 2 Houwan Road, Checheng, Pingtung, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: chiahsin@nmmba.gov.tw.
authors: Chiahsin
authors: C
authors: Lin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D037421:Anthozoa / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006056:Golgi Apparatus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D009865:Oocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Gorgonian coral; Oocyte; TEM; Ultrastructure; Yolk formation