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Polar bodies—more a lack of understanding than a lack of respect
Author(s) -
Schmerler Samuel,
Wessel Gary M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
molecular reproduction and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.745
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1098-2795
pISSN - 1040-452X
DOI - 10.1002/mrd.21266
Subject(s) - biology , polar body , oocyte , evolutionary biology , evolutionary developmental biology , meiosis , zoology , genetics , embryo , gene
Polar bodies are as diverse as the organisms that produce them. Although in many animals these cells often die following meiotic maturation of the oocyte, in other organisms they are an essential and diverse part of embryonic development. Here we highlight some of this diversity and summarize the evolutionary basis for their utility. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 78:3–8, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.