Figure 7. Quantification of thread abundance.

The ovaries from 15 two-day-old virgin X/X females were fixed and stained with DAPI, and all oocytes were examined for their chromosome positioning. Forty-five oocytes were identified that had chromosomes positioned on the spindle where threads could potentially be seen. These oocytes were examined for evidence of threads, and graded as having no indication of threads being present (−, top panel), some evidence of threads such as hooks or spurs of DAPI staining where threads would be expected to be placed (+, middle panel), or clear and unmistakable threads (+++, bottom panel). Of these 45 oocytes, 80% had at least some indication of threads, and 31% had clear threads.