MITOCHONDRIAL MORPHOGENESIS IN INSECTS DU RING MEIOSIS AND SPERMIOGENESIS - COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF MODERN HIGH-RESOLUTION MICROSCOPY AND HISTORICAL DATA

Spermatogenesis in cysts isolated from testes of Drosophila and morpho genesis of male germ cell mitochondria were observed in vitro and comp ared with their first description in the literature. Since Drosophila started to be used for laboratory research only at the beginning of th e 20th century, publications dealing with other insects have been cons ulted for earlier periods. Formerly results were usually obtained from squashed preparations. This technique causes many artifacts and only occasionally can intact cysts be observed. It was only after tissue cu lture technique and microscopes improved that in vitro observation of differentiating cysts became possible. However, thanks to acute observ ational skills and careful reasoning, former researchers already had a correct picture of the early development of male germ cell mitochondr ia. Modern high resolution microscopy confirmed their results.