The spatial association of the sperm cells and vegetative nucleus in the pollen grain ofBrassica

• DOI: 10.1007/bf01290767
• Publication Date: 2005-03-25T07:02:48Z
• Authors: C. Dumas; R. B. Knox; T. Gaude
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; 03 medical and health sciences

In mature viable pollen ofBrassica oleracea, the pair of sperm cells and the nucleus of the vegetative cell are linked to form a structured unit we term the male germ unit. The sperm cells are held within a common periplasm and have no cell walls. Each sperm cell has a central globular body containing the nucleus surrounded by several evaginations which provide the means for linkage between them. One sperm cell, usually that closest to the nucleus of the vegetative cell contains most of mitochondria profiles (plastids are absent). This sperm cell appears to be linked by its protoplasmic evaginations to the envelope of the vegetative nucleus. The role of this unit in interactions with the female gametic complex is considered.