We examined the relationship between morphological characteristics of anthers and fertility in japonica rice cultivars subjected to high temperature (37.5(26 degrees C day/night) at flowering. Percentage fertility was negatively correlated with the number of cell layers that separated the anther locule from the lacuna that formed between the septum and the stomium. The cell layers consisted of ...

The tapetum is a single layer of secretory cells which encloses the anther locule and sustains pollen development and maturation. Upon apoptosis, the remnants of the tapetal cells, consisting mostly of lipids and proteins, fill the pits of the sculpted exine to form the bulk of the pollen coat. This extracellular matrix forms an impermeable barrier that protects the male gametophyte from water ...

In a previous review of male gametophyte development (McCormick, 1993), it was noted that the two areas posed by Mascarenhas (1975) as fruitful areas for future research were the following. What are the differences in the two cytoplasms that determine the different cell fates of the generative and vegetative cells? And what are the functions of pollen-specific proteins? Now, 10 years later, the...

Acute laser injury to the tapetum of the feline retina produces thrombosis of the choriocapillaris. Early changes are characterized by the appearance of platelet-fibrin thrombi within capillary loops and disruption of endothelial integrity. By 4 days, thrombi have disappeared, and the endothelium shows regenerative changes. No endothelial cell mitotic activity is seen. The endothelial cytoplasm...