Genetic dissection of early developmental phases of the testis and the ovary in Drosophila melanogaster.

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Abstract
A D. melanogaster stock carrying an EMS[ethyl methanesulfonate]-treated 3rd chromosome (5A) over a balanced lethal chromosome (TM6) was analyzed. Homozygous 5A males and females both had rudimentary gonads. Genetic analyses of the stock revealed that 2 mutations are present which are responsible for the gonadal dysgenesis; ms(3)m15A acting on the germ cells and producing the rudimentary testes and fs(3)f15A affecting the ovarian mesodermal cells and causing rudimentary ovaries. These mutations are located near the proximal heterochromatic region of the 3rd chromosome. Two more sterility mutations were found on the same chromosome; fs(3)f25A which produces maternal effect embryonic lethality, and ms(3)m25A which blocks the maturation of spermatids. A 2nd chromosomal gene, su(m15A), was identified which specifically suppresses the action of ms(3)m15A.