In the leptotene stage of meiotic prophase, telomeres attach to the nuclear envelope and by early zygotene, move to one region of the nuclear envelope to form the bouquet structure. In the bouquet, DSBs, homologous chromosome pairing, and synapsis between homologs is initiated near the chromosome ends. Telomeres can associate with each other nonspecifically—telomeres from nonhomologous chromosomes are often juxtaposed (nonhomologous chromosomes are represented by different colors). Pairing between homologous chromosome is then seen and initiates close to the telomeres. Synapsis, as visualized by formation of the synaptonemal complex (green lateral element + blue central region), begins in paired regions near telomeres. As pairing extends along the length of the chromosome, synapsis ensues. DSB, double-strand break.