Induction of Polyploidy by Kinetin in Triturus viridescens

Abstract

IN 1962 Buckley, Witkus and Berger¹ reported that kinetin induced mitotic divisions throughout the digestive tract of the salamander, Triturus viridescens. It was also reported that these were diploid divisions. The effect followed exposure for 9 days to kinetin and was most evident in the duodenum. Since this was one of the first clear cases of mitotic stimulation in animal tissues by kinetin, a more detailed examination was made of the duodenum. As in the previous work¹, the animals were immersed in a 10 mg per cent solution of kinetin for 9 days. During the period of treatment the animals were not fed and the solutions were changed every third day. After 9 days exposure the animals were returned to spring water and allowed a 9-day period of recovery. Immediately after treatment and after daily periods of recovery the tissue was fixed, sectioned and stained using the standard iron alum hæmatoxylin technique. Acetoorcein smears were also made of the same regions.