Gametogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster

Tricia Anne U. Barot

Department of Biology
College of Science, University of Santo Tomas

Drosophila melanogaster, commonly

known as the fruit fly, is a staple in scientific
research. Gametogenesis is a process in which
primordial sex cells differentiate into either
sperm or eggs. Sperm formation is called
spermatogenesis, egg formation, on the other
hand, is called oogenesis.

Figure 2. Sperm cell mitotic division

In D. melanogaster, oogenesis occurs

within ovaries of the female fruit fly. The
oogonia are called cytoblasts that undergo
Figure 1. Sex organs of D. melanogaster multiple mitotic divisions, but fail to undergo
cytokinesis. Failure to successfully divide into
new cells means that all the cytocytes that result
In D. melanogaster, spermatogenesis from one cytoblast remain connected to the
occurs within the testis and starts with the original cell. One cytoblast results into 16
primordial sex cells, called gonialblasts, which cytocytes, however, only one cytocyte becomes
undergo mitotic amplification divisions to the oocyte while the other 15 become nurse
generate a cyst of spermatogonia. The cyst of cells.
spermatogonia will then differentiate into
spermatocytes, and ultimately, into mature
sperm. One gonialblast goes through four
rounds of mitotic divisions and two meiotic
divisions to yield a total of 64 haploid
spermatids. Spermatids undergo further
maturation, a process called spermiogenesis,
that involves the elongation of the sperm head
and tail, and the reduction of the cytoplasmic
material found in spermatids. Mature sperm are
transported to the seminal vesicle, awaiting
release during copulation.

Figure 3. Egg cell mitotic division

 These nurse cells synthesize large
amounts of RNA and nutrients for the oocyte to
accumulate massive amounts of cytoplasm in
order to support the development of the future
embryo. A special gene, named the par1 gene,
is responsible for the formation of the oocyte in
D. melanogaster; without the par1 gene, all 16
cytocytes will become nurse cells.
Figure 4. Egg cell formation within the ovary of D.
melanogaster
The whole cluster of oocyte and nurse
cells is surrounded by ovarian follicle cells to
form the egg chamber. The follicle cells secrete
both the vitelline membrane and the chorion
which is a tough outer coat surrounding the egg.
These cells are derived from the gonads and are
thus of somatic rather than germ-line in origin.
As the oocyte matures, the follicle cells become
classified into three groups: namely, squamous,
columnar, and border cells.
Figure 4. Egg chamber of the D. melanogaster egg
cell
Squamous follicle cells are found
covering the nurse cells, while columnar
follicle cells are found covering the oocyte.
Border cells, on the other hand, are found at
both ends of the oocyte. The differences of the
follicle cells are grounded on its function.
Columnar follicle cells are found covering the
oocyte instead of squamous follicle cells
because the oocyte needs more protection
compared to nurse cells. Border cells, on the
other hand, have another special function other
than protect and nourish the egg prior to its
release during ovulation; it is important in the
determination of the anteroposterior pattern of
the future embryo. The major production site
for the yolk of the egg is the fat body of the
female fly; yolk proteins are carried by
hemolymph.
References
[1] Demarco, R.S., Eikenes, A., Haglund, K., &
Jones, D.L. (2014). Methods:
Investigating Spermatogenesis in
Drosophila melanogaster. doi:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ymeth.2014
.04.020
[2] eol.org. (n.d.) Drosophila melanogaster.
Retrieved from
http://eol.org/pages/733739/overview
on 29 Aug 2016.
[3] Slack, J. (2013). Essential Developmental
Biology. West Sussex, UK: Blackwell
Publishing Ltd.
[4] Woodworth, C. (2003). Gametogenesis.
Postdam, NY: Clarkson University.