Mineral Ion-containing Vacuolar Inclusion Bodies Associated with Ca2+ Deficiency in Oogonia of Saprolegnia diclina and S. terrestris

SUMMARY: The frequency of occurrence of electron-dense vacuolar inclusions in oogonia of Saprolegnia diclina and S. terrestris was significantly greater under Ca2+-deficient culture conditions than under Ca2+-sufficient conditions. Bodies similar to inclusions seen in sections of oogonia were present in debris from living cultures ground up in de-ionized water. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis of inclusions in sections showed the presence of Mg, P, Ca, and Mn in both species and Na, S and Zn in S. diclina. The bodies from ground cultures contained Mg, P, Mn and Zn in both species and Na in S. terrestris.