东海三疣梭子蟹纳精囊形态结构与内含物的变化

2005～2006年通过定期采样,对东海三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)纳精囊的形态、组织结构、内含物及相应卵巢的发育状况进行了较为深入的研究.交配前期,4～6月份,纳精囊囊壁较薄,背腹囊腔分离;随后囊壁皱缩(7～9月份),背部囊壁上皮出现分泌层;最后囊壁增厚,单层多核柱状细胞消失,腔内只含琥珀色胶状物质.交配期(10～11月份),囊腔膨大,囊壁变薄.背部近交接处出现"凸"或"丁"字型突起;相应地,腹囊腔内亦出现含角质层褶皱.精子塞是三疣梭子蟹成功交配的特征,是雌雄梭子蟹共同作用的产物,由雄性基质、雌性分泌物、精子塞不定部分和精子塞半透明部分4种物质组成;精荚仅存于雄性基质中.三疣梭子蟹的精子塞在不到2个月的时间内消失殆尽,并不能保护和滋养精子.背部突起对调控纳精囊容积起主要作用,其形成与消退与精荚运输关系密切.交配后期(12月至翌年3月),纳精囊皱缩完全;裂解完全的精荚在背腹囊腔交接处集中,最后贮藏在腹囊腔内,为后续受精做好准备.纳精囊与卵巢关系紧密,进化上可能有重要意义.纳精囊与卵巢发育相联系,可以更好地反映三疣梭子蟹的资源动态.     

长江华溪蟹纳精囊超微结构的研究

利用电镜技术,对长江华溪蟹的纳精囊进行了研究。结果表明:在纳精囊上皮的顶分泌型腺细胞中,充满大量高尔基体和粗面内质网的潴泡和囊泡。泡中含有絮状或颗粒状分泌物。潴泡和囊泡先是单独存在,最后聚集在一起,形成大的分泌颗粒后排出囊腔。核糖体比比皆是。线粒体数量较大,作为一种载体参与了分泌物的形成。细胞化学显示,分泌物中含有蛋白质、脂肪和少量糖类。结论:纳精囊上皮的顶分泌型腺细胞具有积极的分泌活动。       

孟氏隐唇瓢虫生殖系统结构和卵子发生的研究

【目的】孟氏隐唇瓢虫Cryptolaemus montrouzieri Mulsant生殖系统结构和卵细胞发生将为昆虫的系统进化关系及瓢虫分类提供依据,同时可作为瓢虫人工饲料研究开发的参考。【方法】利用组织石蜡切片技术和光学显微镜,观察孟氏隐唇瓢虫生殖系统结构,以及自成虫羽化后不同发育阶段卵巢发育状况和成熟卵巢管卵子发生过程。【结果】孟氏隐唇瓢虫雄性生殖系统包括2对附腺、1对精巢、1对输精管、1对贮精囊、射精管、弯管和阳基。雌性生殖系统包括2片生殖板、生殖腔、受精囊、中输卵管、1对侧输卵管和1对卵巢。单侧卵巢管数量在11~14根之间,卵巢管端部延伸出细长的端丝。卵巢管属于端滋式,分为原卵区和生长区。滋养细胞分散且细胞核几乎充满整个细胞,未见合胞体。卵细胞稀疏地集中在原卵区下端,并且可见营养索向卵巢管顶端延伸。根据卵细胞位置和形态,卵黄积累情况,滤泡细胞形态变化,将卵细胞发生分为前期,中期,中后期和后期。卵细胞发育后期,营养索消失,滤泡细胞排列疏松,细胞间隙增大。【结论】孟氏隐唇瓢虫卵巢管的滋养细胞是端滋式卵巢管滋养细胞中的原始类型,且推测瓢虫科昆虫卵巢管滋养细胞均属于此类。卵细胞早期发育过程中,卵细胞通过营养索从滋养细胞获取营养物质。     

黄胫小车蝗受精囊内含物研究

用组织化学、亲和组织化学方法研究了黄胫小车蝗 Oedaleus infernalis Saussure交配前后受精囊内含物的化学组成。结果表明,黄胫小车蝗受精囊内含物有蛋白质、脂类和碳水化合物。交配前后黄胫小车蝗受精囊腔及腺细胞中蛋白质、碳水化合物的含量有较大差异,交配后的含量明显高于交配前的,说明交配活动启动了受精囊腺细胞的分泌,使受精囊腔及受精囊管中积聚大量的碳水化合物及蛋白质。交配前后受精囊脂类含量没有明显变化。用亲和组织化学方法对交配后受精囊进行染色分析,表明受精囊腔内含物的碳水化合物、蛋白质主要以糖蛋白形式存在,糖残基主要有半乳糖、甘露糖及α-葡萄糖。     

无尾两栖类性腺发育研究进展

脊椎动物的性腺发育一直是生物学领域研究的热点,无尾两栖动物因其胚胎发育的独立性和易观察性而成为发育生物学研究领域的良好材料,并取得了许多成果。本文综述了无尾两栖类原始性腺形成、性腺分化、精巢和卵巢的发育,以及配子发生等方面的研究进展。无尾两栖类原始性腺形成主要发生在鳃盖褶和后肢芽形成时期,不同物种略有不同;性腺分化通常以卵原细胞或卵巢腔出现为标志,但对于部分具有初级性腔的物种并不适用;精巢内支持细胞包围精原细胞形成生精囊,囊内细胞经过一系列事件最终排出精子;卵巢由于卵母细胞发育最终卵巢腔消失,卵母细胞在卵泡内不连续分裂,最后形成卵细胞。无尾两栖动物的性腺发育过程具有一定相似性,但不同物种之间存在差异。     

黄胫小车蝗受精囊的亚显微结构

利用组织学方法,观察了黄胫小车蝗Oedaleus infernalis 受精囊的显微与亚显微结构。结果表明,黄胫小车蝗受精囊为单个,由高度卷曲的受精囊管和蚕豆状的端囊构成。受精囊壁主要由表皮层、上皮层、基膜和肌肉层构成;上皮层包含上皮细胞、导管细胞和腺细胞。上皮细胞在靠表皮层的边缘有大量的微绒毛,两相邻上皮细胞的细胞膜相互嵌入,并有细微的突起延伸在导管细胞及腺细胞之间,直到基膜,达基膜处的上皮细胞膜折叠,与腺细胞膜的折叠,一起形成迷宫样的指状突起,附着在基膜上。导管细胞有一个较大的核和分泌导管,连接于腺细胞的细胞腔和受精囊腔,将腺细胞中分泌物运输到受精囊腔中。腺细胞具有典型的分泌细胞特征： 含发达内质网、高尔基复合体及不同大小的囊泡。肌肉层位于受精囊最外层,附在基膜上。在受精囊不同部位的结构有差异。在交配前和交配后,受精囊腺细胞的亚显微结构也有差异。     

卵胎生硬骨鱼褐菖鲉卵巢的周期发育研究

经组织学观察表明 ,褐菖鲉 (Sebastiscusmarmoratus)的卵巢由卵巢壁、卵巢绒毛和卵巢腔构成。卵巢壁的肌层较厚 ,卵巢上皮具分泌功能。卵巢绒毛位于卵巢腔中 ,呈树枝状。在卵巢绒毛上分布着滤泡。滤泡由卵母细胞和滤泡膜构成。滤泡膜包括内层的颗粒层和外层的鞘膜层。鞘膜层上有丰富的毛细血管。滤泡靠滤泡柄悬挂在卵巢绒毛上。卵巢发育分 7个时期。成熟卵排放在卵巢腔中受精。胚胎浸置在卵巢液中发育。卵巢发育、卵巢成熟系数和卵巢壁厚度随季节呈年周期变化。     

宽翅曲背蝗受精囊形态与超微结构观察

[目的]明确宽翅曲背蝗Pararcyptera microptera meridionalis雌虫受精囊的形态、组织结构与超微结构,为更好地认识昆虫受精囊的功能提供依据.[方法]本研究以宽翅曲背蝗已交配雌成虫为实验材料,利用光学显微镜和透射电子显微镜观察其受精囊的形态、组织结构和超微结构.[结果]宽翅曲背蝗受精囊由一个端囊和一条长的受精囊管组成,端囊用于储存精子.端囊和受精囊管有相似的组织学结构,由外到内依次为肌肉层、基膜、上皮层及表皮内膜.上皮层含上皮细胞、腺细胞和导管细胞3种细胞类型.腺细胞具有一个被有微绒毛的细胞外腔.腺细胞的分泌物经细胞外腔通过分泌导管进入到受精囊腔.分泌导管由导管细胞形成.[结论]在宽翅曲背蝗受精囊的端囊和受精囊管上,内膜和腺细胞的细胞外腔结构均存在差异,由此推测,端囊和受精囊管的功能存在一定差异.上皮细胞的超微结构特点显示上皮细胞具有支持、分泌和吸收的功能.     

VEGF在人胎卵巢发育过程中的表达研究

目的研究血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）在人胚胎卵巢组织发生过程中的表达特征,探讨其在卵巢发生中的作用。方法采用HE染色和SP免疫组织化法学法检测VEGF在不同胎龄卵巢组织中的表达变化。结果VEGF在胎儿卵巢初级卵母细胞、卵泡细胞、部分基质细胞呈阳性表达,在卵母细胞的染色程度均强于卵泡细胞和基质细胞,基质小血管内皮也有阳性表达。其在卵母细胞中以胎24w阳性细胞多且表达量强,此后呈逐渐下降趋势。结论胎儿卵巢存在局部调节因子,VEGF表达于人胎卵巢中,以自分泌或旁分泌方式参与卵母细胞生长,在卵巢发生、发育过程中起着一定的作用。     

宽翅曲背蝗受精囊形态与超微结构观察（英文）

【目的】明确宽翅曲背蝗Pararcyptera microptera meridionalis雌虫受精囊的形态、组织结构与超微结构,为更好地认识昆虫受精囊的功能提供依据。【方法】本研究以宽翅曲背蝗已交配雌成虫为实验材料,利用光学显微镜和透射电子显微镜观察其受精囊的形态、组织结构和超微结构。【结果】宽翅曲背蝗受精囊由一个端囊和一条长的受精囊管组成,端囊用于储存精子。端囊和受精囊管有相似的组织学结构,由外到内依次为肌肉层、基膜、上皮层及表皮内膜。上皮层含上皮细胞、腺细胞和导管细胞3种细胞类型。腺细胞具有一个被有微绒毛的细胞外腔。腺细胞的分泌物经细胞外腔通过分泌导管进入到受精囊腔。分泌导管由导管细胞形成。【结论】在宽翅曲背蝗受精囊的端囊和受精囊管上,内膜和腺细胞的细胞外腔结构均存在差异,由此推测,端囊和受精囊管的功能存在一定差异。上皮细胞的超微结构特点显示上皮细胞具有支持、分泌和吸收的功能。     

Queen-worker differences in spermatheca reservoir of phylogenetically basal ants

Ant queens mate when young and store sperm in their spermatheca to fertilize eggs for several years until their death. In contrast, workers in most species never mate. We have compared the histological organization of spermathecae in 25 poneromorph species exhibiting various degrees of queen-worker dimorphism. The spermathecae of both castes in all species are similar in having a reservoir connected by a sperm duct to the ovary, and a paired gland opening into this duct. The reservoir of queens typically has a columnar epithelium in the hilar region (near the opening of the sperm duct), whereas the epithelium in the distal region is cuboidal. Abundant mitochondria together with apical microvilli and basal invaginations indicate an osmoregulatory function. In contrast, the reservoir epithelium of workers is flattened throughout and lacks these transport characteristics. This single difference shows the importance of a columnar epithelium in the reservoir for sperm storage. However, our data have not revealed inter-specific variations in the development of the hilar region linked with higher fecundity. We have found no consistent differences in associated structures, such as the spermatheca gland or sperm ducts, or in the musculature between queens and workers.This work was funded by IWT, FWO, KULeuven OT and JSPS.     

Ultrastructure of the spermatheca and its associated gland in the ant Crematogaster opuntiae (Hymenoptera,Formicidae)

Summary Sperm storage by females has reached an extreme degree of development in ants. Ant queens, which are unusually long-lived insects, typically store and maintain an unreplenished supply of viable sperm for ten or more years. The spermatheca of Crematogaster opuntiae includes a receptacle and a discrete pair of accessory, or spermathecal, glands, structures commonly found in sperm storage organs of insects. The bean-shaped receptacle consists of a layer of simple epithelium externally and a cuticular layer internally. In the hilar region, the epithelium is highly columnar and exhibits ultrastructural features characteristic of transport epithelia, such as infolded basal membranes, abundant polymorphic mitochondria, and apical microvilli. The spermathecal glands contain cells that have long, dense microvilli that project into a central lumen, abundant mitochondria, and large fields of glycogen. The valve and pump region of the spermatheca provide a mechanism to conserve sperm by controlling the rate of sperm release. The columnar epithelium may function as excretory tissue that serves to maintain an environment in which sperm can remain viable for many years.     

Functional anatomy of the sperm storage organs in Pulmonata: the simple spermatheca of Bradybaena fruticum (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora)

Data on sperm storage and paternity analyses in the pulmonate land snail Arianta arbustorum suggest that the complex, multitubular sperm storage organ, the spermatheca, may influence paternity after multiple matings. Ultrastructural investigations show that the spermatheca is provided with the morphological correlates to exert cryptic female choice. However, in order to understand the function of a multitubular spermatheca it is necessary to understand how a single spermathecal tubule functions. In order to explore the potential to serve as a model for such a simple system in future experiments, the fine structure of the unitubular spermatheca and its interaction with spermatozoa were investigated in Bradybaena fruticum, another member of the Helicoidea. The spermatheca of B. fruticum is only about one-half as long as the fertilization chamber. Its epithelium is densely ciliated throughout its length. Vacuole, Golgi complex, rough endoplasmic reticulum, various vesicles, wide intercellular spaces, and an extensive basal labyrinth indicate strong secretory activity, providing the environment for sperm storage and capacitation. Prior to transfer, sperm are characterized by a perinuclear sheath and an acrosome tilted at about 50°. In the spermatheca, the perinuclear sheath is dissolved and, probably as a consequence, the acrosome folds up in line with the nuclear longitudinal axis. The spermatheca is surrounded by a network of differently oriented smooth muscle cells, which are extensively connected with each other through dense plaques. The fine structure of the muscle cells suggests that they are neither very strong nor enduring. The main function of the spermathecal musculature is certainly expulsion of sperm prior to fertilization. The musculature around the spermathecal tubule of B. fruticum appears to be a highly integrated system not allowing for much functional flexibility compared to A. arbustorum, where the muscle cells are more individualized, permitting finely tuned operations. This restricted flexibility needs to be taken into consideration in future experiments using B. fruticum as a model for the simple, unitubular sperm storage system.     

Possible Removal of Rival Sperm by the Elongated Genitalia of the Earwig, Euborellia plebeja

Sperm displacement is a sperm competition avoidance mechanism that reduces the paternity of males that have already mated with the female. Direct anatomical sperm removal or sperm flushing is known to occur in four insect orders: Odonata, Orthoptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera. In a fifth order, Dermaptera (earwigs), I found that the virga (the elongated rod of the male genitalia) of Euborellia plebeja seems to be used to remove rival sperm from the spermatheca (a fine-tubed female sperm storage organ). In this species, copulation lasted on average 4.6 minutes, during which time the male inserted the virga deep into the spermatheca, and then extracted it ejaculating semen from the opening of the virgal tip. The extraction of virgae (with its brim-like tip) appeared to cause removal of stored sperm in the spermatheca. The virga was as long as the body length of males, and the spermatheca was twice the female body length. The long length of the spermatheca and the possible removal function of the virga may select for virgal elongation.     

Sperm storage and viability in Photinus fireflies

In many species females mate with and store sperm from multiple males, and some female insects have evolved multiple compartments for sperm storage. Sperm storage and sperm viability were investigated in two firefly species, Photinus greeni and P. ignitus, which differ in the morphology of the female reproductive tract. Although the primary spermatheca is similar in both species, P. greeni females have an additional, conspicuous outpocketing within the bursa copulatrix whose potential role in sperm storage was investigated in this study. An assay that distinguishes between live and dead sperm was used to examine sperm viability in male seminal vesicles and sperm storage sites within the female reproductive tract. For both Photinus species, sperm from male seminal vesicles showed significantly higher viability compared to sperm from the primary spermatheca of single mated females. In single mated P. greeni females, sperm taken from the channel outpocketing (secondary spermatheca) showed significantly higher viability compared to sperm from the primary spermatheca. This sperm viability difference was not evident in double mated females. There were no significant differences between P. greeni and P. ignitus females in the viability of sperm from the primary spermatheca. These studies contribute to our understanding of post-mating processes that may influence paternity success, and suggest that sexual conflict over control of fertilizations may occur in multiply mated firefly females.     

Age-Related Sperm Production,Transfer, and Storage in the Sweet Potato Weevil, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cylas formicarius</Emphasis> (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

The relationship between sperm production, insemination rate, and sperm transfer were studied in the sweet potato weevil, Cylas formicarius. Older adult males retained more sperm in the testes-seminal vesicle complex (TSC) and thus more was ejaculated into females at first mating. Number of matings per day for males was relatively constant across different ages, and frequent mating resulted in a reduced amount of sperm transferred to females, especially in young males. Young virgin males had a relatively small ejaculate, and almost all sperm transferred to females was stored in the spermatheca, whereas older virgin males transferred a larger amount of sperm to females, in whom sperm was found in both the spermatheca and post-spermathecal organs (PSO) after mating. The number of sperm in the PSO decreased markedly within 24 h after mating, but amounts in the spermatheca remained the same. Just where the sperm in the PSO went is a point that remained undetermined. The amount of sperm in the spermatheca was reduced more rapidly in females that laid eggs than in females that did not, although sperm reduction occurred even in the latter. Insemination of this weevil corresponded with the volume of the spermatheca, and the amount of sperm stored in the TSC was determined by the age and mating history of the males.     

Sperm aggregations in the spermatheca of the red back salamander (Plethodon cinereus)

The spermatheca of Plethodon cinereus is a compound tubular gland that stores sperm from mating in early spring (March–April) to oviposition in summer (June–July). The seasonal variation of sperm storage in this species has previously been studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. In this paper, sperm aggregations, interaction of sperm with the spermathecal epithelium, and spermathecal secretions are studied using scanning electron microscopy. Within spermathecal tubules, relatively small groups of sperm are aligned along their entire lengths in parallel arrays. This pattern is similar to other plethdontids with complex spermathecae. Lumina of spermathecal tubules are filled with secretory material in April prior to the arrival of sperm, and after sperm appear, a coating of secretory material persists on the apices of the spermathecal epithelium. Sperm peripheral to the central luminal mass can become embedded in the secretory matrix or pushed deeper into the spermathecal epithelium. The spermathecal secretions may serve to attract and prolong the viability of sperm, but sperm that become enmeshed in the secretions or epithelium are phagocytized. Sperm and spermathecal secretions are largely absent after ovulation and in summer months, and new secretory vacuoles are formed in fall, although mating does not occur until spring.     

Eupyrene sperm migrates to spermatheca after apyrene sperm in the swallowtail butterfly, Papilio xuthus L. (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae)

When swallowtail butterflies, Papilio xuthus, are mated by the hand-pairing method, both types of sperm, eupyrene and apyrene sperm, are transferred from the male to the spermatheca via the spermatophore in the bursa copulatrix. This mechanism is demonstrated by two different kinds of experiments. The first set of experiments employed interrupted copulation, and the second set was examination of the sperm in the spermatophore and spermatheca after the termination of copulation. The sperm was transferred 30 min after the start of copulation. The eupyrene sperm was still in the bundle; the number of the bundles ranged from 9 to 108 (mean, 42.7; n = 27). The bundles were gradually released after the completion of copulation, and the free eupyrene spermatozoa then remained in the spermatophore at least 2 h before migrating to the spermatheca. On the other hand, about 160 000 apyrene spermatozoa were transferred to the spermatophore and remained there for more than 1 h. We observed 11 000 apyrene spermatozoa in the spermatheca 12 h after the completion of copulation, but most of this type of sperm disappeared shortly thereafter. In contrast, the eupyrene sperm arrived in the spermatheca more than 1 day after the completion of copulation and remained there at least 1 week. Therefore, these findings suggest that apyrene sperm migrate from the spermatophore to the spermatheca earlier than eupyrene sperm. Accordingly, if females mated multiply, the time difference might avoid the mixing of sperm. In addition, the predominance of sperm from the last mating session may occur not in the bursa copulatrix but in the spermatheca. Received: January 7, 2000 / Accepted: May 24, 2000     

Histological study of the spermatheca in three thelytokous parthenogenetic ant species,Pristomyrmex punctatus,Pyramica membranifera and Monomorium triviale (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Gotoh, A., Billen, J., Tsuji, K., Sasaki, T. and Ito, F. 2011. Histological study of the spermatheca in three thelytokous parthenogenetic ant species, Pristomyrmex punctatus, Pyramica membranifera and Monomorium triviale (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 00 :1–8. The evolution of obligate parthenogenesis may induce the degeneration of female mating ability and subsequently affect the morphology of the female reproductive organs related to mating and/or sperm storage. Here, we investigated the size and structure of the sperm storage organ, the spermatheca, in three thelytokous parthenogenetic myrmicine ant species, Pristomyrmex punctatus, Pyramica membranifera and Monomorium triviale, and compared it with that of their related sexually reproducing species. So far, mated individuals have never been found in these three species, which appears to be in line with their parthenogenetic status. Although the spermatheca appears to be useless in these species, we could not find any evidence on the degeneration in size and morphology of their spermathecae. The spermathecal reservoir still has the columnar hilar epithelium, which is one of the major features for a functional spermatheca in ants.