Chiasma distribution in mouse oocytes during diakinesis.

The distribution of chiasmata in the mouse was examined by measurement of a single metacentric bivalent in 173 oocytes taken from 36 mice of the Rb3Bnr stock. Frequency distribution analysis revealed a well defined pattern of chiasma formation in both arms of the metacentric and, as in other organisms, interference and localization were thought to be major factors influencing this pattern. Despite the tendency for bivalents to form terminal associations at metaphase in the mouse and reported differences in chiasma frequency between early and late stages of meiosis, analysis of bivalents at diakinesis has produced no quantitative support for the concept of terminalization of chiasmata during meiosis.