The chromomere map of the pachytene spermatocyte of the Turkish hamster (Mesocricetus brandti)

The chromomere map of the early to mid pachytene spermatocyte of the Turkish hamster (Mesocricetus brandti) is described. Each autosomal bivalent was identified and a total of 304 chromomeres was found. A sex bivalent with a despiralized Xq protruding from the sex vesicle and a small number of the polymorphic 16q bivalents were observed.Key words: Turkish hamster, chromomere maps, pachytene spermatocytes.