Abstract
The unfertilized eggs of many mammals have a tendency to develop spontaneously in the absence of a male gamete (Beatty, 1967; Tarkowski, 1971; Graham, 1974). This phenomenon is termed parthenogenesis and is of considerable significance for a full understanding of the role of the sperm in fertilization. If the second polar body is retained the parthenote is diploid. Haploid parthenotes are formed if the second polar body is extruded, or if the egg cleaves immediately so that the pronucleus is in one cell and the second polar body nucleus is in the other (Figure 33). Spontaneous parthenogenesis in mammals does not usually proceed to mitosis.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1977 Plenum Press, New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Gwatkin, R.B.L. (1977). Parthenogenesis. In: Fertilization Mechanisms in Man and Mammals. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-8804-7_15
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-8804-7_15
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4615-8806-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-8804-7
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive