Formation of lining bodies and oocyte bodies during avian oogenesis

Oocytes, 80 μm-30 mm in diameter, from ovaries of White Leghorn hens have been examined. Structures are described that appear to represent intermediate stages in lining body formation. The formation (or assembly) of lining bodies occurs in the follicle cell cytoplasm, a few microns distant from the follicle cell plasma membrane. In the very late stages of their formation or after their formation the lining bodies become associated with follicle cell plasma membrane. A parallel process takes place in the oocyte cytoplasm. Structures we have termed oocyte bodies are being formed or assembled. Oocyte bodies are seen forming near Golgi complexes and many oocyte bodies ultimately become associated with Golgi cisternae. The evidence presented in this paper demonstrates that the two structures, lining bodies and oocyte bodies, are distinct and originate in the follicle cell and oocyte cytoplasm, respectively.