spermatid & nucleus | supernumerary
A large proportion of diaZ4053 mutant spermatids have one large nebenkern with two nuclei of normal size, indicating failure of cytokinesis in one of the meiotic divisions. A smaller amount of spermatids have four nuclei and a large nebenkern, indicating a cytokinetic failure in both meiotic divisions. Occasionally spermatids are seen (<1% of cases) with three nuclei, which may be due to failure of cytokinesis in the first meiotic division, followed by budding off of only one daughter cell in the second meiotic division. The same phenotype is seen in diaZ4053/Df(2L)TW84 spermatids, except a greater proportion (>6%) have three nuclei.