Blocking of Mitosis by Heat Shock

Abstract

WHEN eggs of Trichogaster trichopterus var. sumatranus (Teleostei : Anabantidae) are subjected to + 39/40° C. for 3–6 min., mitosis is temporarily halted, being resumed immediately once the egg? are brought back to normal temperature (+ 27° C.). At temperatures of 40.5/42° C. for 3–7 min. mitosis is halted, while the mitotic structures are changed to an extent which necessitates a re-organization after the termination of the heat shock before mitosis can be resumed. At still higher temperatures similar changes are invoked by the heat treatment, but with increasing temperatures the eggs rapidly lose the property of post-blocking restitution.