[The degenerating processes of germinal cells during oogenesis in Lithobius forticatus L. (Myriapoda chilopoda)].

The ovary of Lithobius forficatus always contains some degenerating oocytes. The cytologic evolution during the oocyte degenerescence is described. Cytoplasmic lysis takes place before nuclear lysis and the vitellinic reserves resist the longest. The degenerates coming from previtellogenetic or poorly vitellogenetic cells are essentially recovered by the follicular cells. If large vitellogenetic or mature oocytes are affected, their vitellinic reserves are released into the ovarian cavity and included in the cells of the ovarian epithelium. The number of degenerating oocytes is in relation with the external conditions; it reaches a maximum at the end of the spring. The temperature may act directly or indirectly through the endocrine centers.