Autoradiographic studies on 3H-fucose incorporation into manubria and its translocation to antheridial space during spermatogenesis in Chara vulgaris L

The internal space of antheridium in Chara vulgaris L. is filled with the PAS-positive polysaccharide mucilage. It is produced and secreted by non-generative, polyploidal cells - manubria. Autoradiographic studies with the use of 3H-fucose have shown that this precursor is incorporated into polysaccharidial compounds at the manubrium surface. The dynamics of this process is different in proliferative phase than after symplasmic isolation of antheridium. The translocation of mucilage into antheridial space is very intensive, especially at the older developmental stages of antheridium. The data obtained after 12-hour post incubation indicated secondary metabolic changes of mucilage. The decrease in total radioactivity per investigated section is most intensive by the end of spermatogenesis. These facts seem to confirm the assumption about nutritive role of mucilage filling Chara antheridium during the process of spermatogenesis. (author). 19 refs, 3 figs, 2 tabs