Oocytes formation in post-diapause Neocalanus flemingeri females from the R/V Sikuliaq and the R/V Tiglax in the Northern Gulf of Alaska from 2019-06-30 to 2019-09-13

These data are from a study on the formation of oocytes in post-diapause Neocalanus flemingeri females collected from depth in Prince William Sound in the Gulf of Alaska. Collections were made during two NGA LTER cruises. After sorting, females were incubated in flasks and removed for experimental incubations and imaging. Oocyte production by post-diapause females that involved DNA replication in the ovary and oviducts was examined using incubation in 5-Ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine (EdU). Both oogonia and oocytes incorporated EdU, with the number of EdU labeled cells peaking at 72 hours following diapause termination. Cells labeling with EdU remained high for two weeks, decreasing thereafter with no labeling detected by four weeks post diapause, and three to four weeks before spawning of the first clutch of eggs. By limiting DNA replication to the initial phase, the females effectively separate oocyte production from oocyte provisioning.