Ultrastructure of male accessory glands in the scorpionfly Sinopanorpa tincta (Navás, 1931) (Mecoptera: Panorpidae)

The ultrastructure of male reproductive accessory glands was investigated in the scorpionfly Sinopanorpa tincta (Navás, 1931) (Mecoptera: Panorpidae) using light and transmission electron microscopy. The male accessory glands comprise one pair of mesodermal glands (mesadenia) and six pairs of ectodermal glands (ectadenia). The former opens into the vasa deferentia and the latter into the ejaculatory sac. The mesadenia consist of a mono-layered elongated columnar epithelium, the cells of which are highly microvillated and extrude secretory granules by means of merocrine mechanisms. The epithelium of ectadenia consists of two types of cells: the large secretory cells and the thin duct-forming cells. These two types of cells that join with a cuticular duct constitute a functional glandular unit, corresponding to the class III glandular cell type of Noirot and Quennedey. The cuticular duct consists of a receiving canal and a conducting canal. The secretory granules were taken up by the receiving canal and then plunged into the lumen through the conducting canal.     

The vas deferens of the spider crab,Libinia emarginata

Sperm enter the anterior vas deferens individually in the spider crab male. There they become surrounded by secretion products from the cells of the vas deferens, and are compartmentalized into spermatophores of varying size. The anterior vas deferens can be divided into three regions. The epithelium of the anterior vas deferens varies regionally from low to high columnar. The cytoplasm contains vast arrays of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes but few mitochondria. Intercellular spaces contain septate junctions, gap junctions and vesicles. Once the spermatophores have been formed in the anterior vas deferens, they are moved posteriorly to the middle vas deferens where they are stored and surrounded by seminal fluids. The epithelial cells of the middle vas deferens contain large amounts of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes. Numerous micropinocytotic vesicles appear, forming at the cell surface and within the apical cytoplasm. Their suggested function is the resorption of secretion products of the anterior vas deferens which initiated compartmentalization of the spermatozoa into spermatophores. The posterior vas deferens functions primarily as a storage center for spermatophores until they are released at the time of copulation. Seminal fluid surrounding the spermatophores is produced in this region as well as in the middle vas deferens. The cells of this region contain vast arrays of vesicular rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes. The cells are multinucleate. Microtubules are numerous throughout the length of the cells and appear to insert on the plasma membrane.     

中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)雄性生殖系统的组织学研究

中华绒螯蟹雄性生殖系统的组织学研究表明:生精小管一侧为管壁上皮,另一侧为生发区,生殖细胞由生发区基底部同管腔增殖。输精管分为输精细管和贮精囊,管壁上皮具分泌功能,贮精囊有肌肉层。射精管壁肌肉层较厚,粘膜形成纵行皱襞。副性腺内壁为单层立方上皮。生殖系统发育有明显的季节性,8月开始发育加速,10月进入高峰,4月开始发育停滞。     

Breeding and post-breeding structure of the vas deferens of the long-toed salamander Ambystoma macrodactylum

The vas deferens of Ambystoma macrodactylum is composed of a peritoneal epithelium, connective tissue layer with fibroblasts, circular smooth muscle, capillaries, cells containing lipid, and a luminal epithelium composed of a single layer of cuboidal cells covered by a net of interconnected ciliated squamous cells. The cuboidal cells have abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and PAS + secretory vesicles. Squamous cells of breeding males consistently have tufts of ～100 cilia located at one end of the long axis of each cell. These cilia may help distribute secretory products. The squamous cells, absent in post-breeding males, are apparently sloughed into the lumen. Lipid vesicles are present throughout the cytoplasm of the cuboidal and squamous epithelial cells and are also in some cells of the connective tissue layer. These vesicles increase dramatically in number during the first 4 weeks after breeding and may serve as an energy pool for the next breeding season. Enzyme-histochemical tests for testosterone synthesis were negative. In addition to the accumulation of lipid and the loss of squamous cells in the vas deferens, after breeding PAS + vesicle production is terminated. These alterations appear to represent energy conservation strategies employed by the sperm-depleted vas deferens.     

Ultrastructure and histochemistry of the male reproductive system of the genus Callinectes Stimpson, 1860 (Brachyura: Portunidae)

We described the ultrastructure and histochemistry of the reproductive system of five Callinectes species, and evaluate the seasonal variation in weight of the reproductive system and hepatopancreas by comparing annual changes of somatic indices. The somatic indices changed little throughout the year. In Callinectes, spermatogenesis occurs inside the lobular testes and, within each lobule, the cells are at the same developmental stage. Spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis follow the same development pattern in all Callinectes studied. Mature spermatozoa are released into the seminiferous ducts through the collecting ducts. Cells of the vas deferens are secretory as evidenced by rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex, and secretory vesicles that produce the seminal fluid. The anterior vas deferens shows two portions: proximal and distal. In proximal portion (AVDp), spermatozoa are clustered and embedded in an electron-dense, basophilic glycoproteinaceous secretion Type I. In the distal portion (AVDd), the spermatophore wall is formed by incorporation of a less electron-dense glycoproteinaceous secretion Type II. The secretion Type I change to an acid polysaccharide-rich matrix that separates the spermatophores from each other. The median vas deferens (MVD) stores the spermatophores and produces the granular glycoproteinaceous seminal fluid. The posterior vas deferens (PVD) has few spermatophores. Its epithelium has many mitochondria and the PVD seminal fluid changes into a liquid and homogeneous glycoprotein. Many outpocketings in the PVD and MVD help to increase the fluid production. Overall, the reproductive pattern of Callinectes is similar to other species that produce sperm plugs. The secretions of AVD, MVD, and PVD are responsible for the polymerization that forms the solid, waxy plug in the seminal receptacle. The traits identified here are common to all Portunidae species studied so far.     

Morphological changes in the vas deferens and expression of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) in control, deltaF508 and knock-out CFTR mice during postnatal life

The morphology of the mouse vas deferens still undergoes major changes from birth to 40 days of age, such as differentiation of the mesenchymal cells into fibroblasts and muscle cells, differentiation of the epithelium into basal and columnar epithelial cells, development of stereocilia, and the appearance of smooth endoplasmic reticulum organised in fingerprint-like structures or parallel, flattened saccules. In mutant homozygous DeltaF508 (DeltaF/DeltaF) and knock-out (cf/cf) CFTR mice, strain 129/FvB and 129/C57BL-6, respectively, a similar development occurred until the age of 20 days. At 40 days, however, the lumen was filled with eosinophilic secretions, and sperm cells were absent in the majority of the animals examined, although sperm production in testis and epididymis appeared to be normal. CFTR was localised in the apical membrane and cytoplasm of the vas deferens epithelium from 40 days on but could not be detected in the vas deferens before 20 days or in mutant adult CFTR mice as expected. Western blots of membrane preparations showed that the mature form of CFTR was present in vas deferens and testis but absent in seminal vesicles. Our results suggest that the function of CFTR is probably essential after 20 days in the vas deferens and that its absence or dysfunction may result in a vas deferens with a differentiated epithelium but a collapsed lumen, which could at least temporarily delay the transport of spermatozoa. These observations contrast with those made in the overall majority of CF patients. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 55:125-135, 2000.     

小地老虎雄蛾中胚层生殖道和附腺的细胞结构和分泌功能

通过光镜、电镜及组织化学等方法,研究了小地老虎生殖前期雄蛾中胚层生殖道和附腺的腺细胞结构和分泌功能,以及与精子形态和数量变化的关系,结果表明：(1)以缢缩位置、解剖形态、细胞结构、分泌方式、精子形态变化和数量变动为依据,将中胚层生殖道划分为修精囊、输精管、贮精囊、精包腺1～5段等8个区段;(2)中胚层生殖道和附腺具有相同的组织层次,自内向外分为单细胞上皮层、底膜、肌肉层和围膜等4层,但缺少表皮质内膜;(3)中胚层生殖道和附腺的腺细胞具有旺盛的合成和分泌蛋白质的能力,主要有内质网型和液泡型两种,前者有发达的粗面内质网和高尔基体,后者具有致密的核糖体和分泌泡;至少有4种分泌方式：即颗粒顶泌、液泡顶泌、胞质局泌和胞间分泌;修精囊、贮精囊、雄性附腺、精包腺1段的顶泌物为糖蛋白性质(PAS阳性)、局泌物为非糖蛋白性质(PAS阴性)。     

A histological and ultrastructural comparison of the male accessory reproductive glands of diapausing and non-diapausing adults in Bruchidius atrolineatus (Pic) (Coleoptera : Bruchidae)

Cytological variations of the median and the 2 lateral accessory glands of Bruchidius atrolineatus Pic (Coleoptera : Bruchidae) were examined as a function of age and the reproduction of the male. In sexually active virgin males, the secretory epithelium is columnar at emergence, but progressively flattens, and the secretions formed and stored by its cells are expelled by exocytosis into the glandular lumen. After 10 days, the male accessory glands exhibit a stage of repletion, characteristic of glands temporarily storing their secretions in their lumen. In diapausing males, the genital tract is relatively undeveloped and the accessory glands are reduced to tubules, whose lumen, surrounded by an epithelium composed of narrow cells, contains little secreted material. The presence of secretion aggregates in the secretory epithelial cells, the abundance of rough endoplasmic reticulum in them, and the release of a part of their secretions into the glandular lumen, indicate that reproductive diapause in B. atrolineatus is characterized by a decrease in the reproductive function. and not its total arrest.     

Ultrastructure of the male reproductive system and spermatophore formation in Labidocera aestiva (Crust.: Copepoda)

Summary The male reproductive system of Labidocera aestiva produces a flask-shaped spermatophore connected to a chitin-like coupling apparatus. As immature spermatozoa leave the anterior region of the testis, they pass through the lumen of a long, sinuous duct composed of a ductus deferens and seminal vesicle. Ultrastructural examination of the ductus deferens reveals a highly glandular, columnar epithelium. The cells contain arrays of rough endoplasmic reticulum and abundant, well-developed Golgi complexes. This region produces and releases into the lumen, a flocculent substance and two granular secretions that constitute the seminal fluid. In its terminal part, the ductus deferens synthesizes another secretion that forms the spermatophore wall enclosing the spermatozoa and seminal fluid. Final synthesis of the spermatophore wall occurs within the thin-walled seminal vesicle, although this region functions primarily as a storage organ. Contiguous to the seminal vesicle is an elongate, highly glandular spermatophore sac. The chitin-like coupling apparatus, which functions to attach the spermatophore to the female, is formed in the anterior region of the sac by secretions from eight cell types. The posterior region of the sac stores the flask-shaped spermatophore and produces secretions that aid ejaculation of the entire spermatophore complex.Contribution No. 236, Harbor Branch Foundation, Inc.     

Seasonal changes in the fine structure of the accessory sex gland in the mole (Talpa europaea)

The mole has a single pair of accessory sex organs with features of both the prostate and the seminal vesicle, for which the term prostate gland is not appropriate. Seasonal changes occuring in this gland were related to four periods: a) the quiescence period, b) the maturation period, c) the active period and d) the involution period. During the quiescence period the cuboidal epithelial cells display a quasi-embryonic fine structure and are sparse in cytoplasmic organelles, but rich in glycogen and lipopigment. With the onset of sexual activity glycogen and lipopigment disappear and the rough endoplasmic reticulum as well as the Golgi apparatus begin to proliferate. The fully active gland is lined by a low epithelium with parallel stacks of rough endoplasmic reticulum, a large Golgi apparatus and several lysosomes and secretory granules. In the involution period the gland collapses and the epithelial cells are eliminated by hetero- and autophagic processes. During this period a great number of presumably endocrine cells were observed. The results were compared with findings in experimental studies and those on postnatal development of accessory sex glands in laboratory animals.     

The architecture of the accessory reproductive glands of the male desert locust. 5: ultrastructure during maturation

The accessory reproductive glands of the male desert locust were studied with the electron microscope from the time of adult emergence until full sexual maturity was attained (10 days). Observations on the changes in the nucleus and the cytoplasm of the glandular epithelium, particularly those organelles involved in the elaboration of cell secretions, were made during the maturation of the accessory glands. Cells of gland 16 (the functional seminal vesicle) exhibit numerous ribosomal aggregates, have a concentration of mitochondria along their luminal surface, and show some secretory activity, even at the time of adult emergence. On the other hand, all other accessory glands show very little development of the secretory apparatus (rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, polyribosomes, Golgi elements, elaborate mitochondria, etc.) until after the fifth adult day. These changes parallel changes in the secretory activity of the adult corpus allatum; and it is suggested that the corpus allatum hormone regulates the maturation of the truly glandular accessory glands of the locust, but not that of the functional vesicle.     

平疣桑椹石磺生殖系统结构及精子储存场所

雌雄同体贝类精子的储存和利用规律一直是国内外贝类生物学研究的难点之一,本文利用活体解剖、显微观察、组织切片和扫描电镜技术,综合研究了平疣桑椹石磺(Platevindex mortoni)的生殖系统及精子储存场所。结果显示,其生殖系统包括生殖器本部、雌性生殖部分和雄性生殖部分。生殖器本部由两性腺、两性输送管、蛋白腺、黏液腺、支囊组成;雌性生殖部分包括输卵管、受精囊、阴道,位于身体中后方体腔内;雄性生殖部分包括输精管、刺激器、阴茎、阴茎鞘和阴茎牵引肌,位于身体前端右侧体腔内;其阴茎有阴茎鞘,阴茎表面布满倒刺。平疣桑椹石磺阴茎为直线状,无雄性附属腺。未交配的性成熟个体支囊内充满细长精子,受精囊内无精子;而交配后充当雌性个体的支囊内均为细长的自体精子,受精囊内有大量活力较强的粗短精子,其支囊为自体精子的存储场所,而受精囊为异体精子的存储场所。其精子储运情况为:两性腺内精子成熟后暂存于支囊,交配时通过输精管运输至阴茎,由阴茎输送精子至对方的阴道,异体精子进入受精囊内存储待用。     

Testes of fed and unfed Amblyomma cajennense ticks (Acari: Ixodidae). First morphological data

The tick species Amblyomma cajennense is of great medical importance, as it is the vector of the Rickettsia rickettsii, agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The objective of this study was to perform a morphological and histological analysis of the male reproductive system of fed and unfed A. cajennense. The male reproductive system is formed by a pair of tubular testes dorsolaterally arranged in opisthosoma. They were divided into three regions: proximal region (next to vas deferens), median region and distal region (nearest to the blind ending of testis). Proximal regions are connected to the seminal vesicles by the deferent ducts and to accessory glands, similar to what was observed for other Ixodidae. Feeding plays a fundamental role in the development of the reproductive system, as in unfed individuals, the testes, the seminal vesicles and the accessory glands were smaller comparing with the fed individuals. In addition, the prospermia, precursors of the spermatozoa, were only observed in fed individuals. The germ cells were organized in spermatocysts, enveloped by a connective tissue. The cells in more advanced stages of spermatogenesis were localized in the distal region, in accord with studies in other ticks, but opposite to what was observed for other arthropods.     

Formation of sperm bundles in Pterostichus nigrita (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

The formation and structure of sperm bundles (spermiozeugmata), and the structure of the vas deferens where bundles are formed, in Pterostichus nigrita is described by light and electron microscopy. The spermiozeugmata are of the sheet-like type consisting of a central rod (about 3?mm long) of electron-dense material (the spermatostyle), to which two bundles of spermatozoa (about 95 per bundle) are attached. The spermatostyle has a spoon-shaped head, and the rod material is differentiated into an electron-dense core and a more electron-lucent cortex. Spermatozoa (about 340?µm long) are attached to the anterior portion of the rod only. Spermiozeugma formation occurs in the upper vas deferens (before the seminal vesicle region) with the secretion of rod material by epithelial cells, which are characterized by well developed rough endoplasmic reticulum with distended cisternae, abundant mitochondria and Golgi bodies. Some cells contain numerous myeloid structures thought to be precursors of rod material, and coated vesicles. During spermiozeugma development, the heads of spermatozoa become embedded in the developing rod material, the anterior of which sits in one of the many diverticula of the mid-region of the vas deferens. Elongation of the rod proceeds by addition of material posteriorly.     

Observations on the ultrastructure of the copulatory organ of Archilopsis unipunctata (Fabricius, 1826) (Proseriata,Monocelididae)

The copulatory organ in adult specimens of Archilopsis unipunctata has been studied by transmission electron microscopy.This copulatory organ is of the conjuncta-duplex type with eversible cirrus. The seminal vesicle, lined with a nucleate epithelium, is surrounded by spirally arranged muscles. The fibres are enclosed in a sheath that is continuous with the septum of the bulbus and the basement lamina of the male canal epithelium. Distally to the seminal vesicle the bulbus is filled with the secretory cell-necks of the prostate glands. The male canal shows three different parts: seminal duct, ejaculatory duct and eversible cirrus. At the transition of seminal duct and ejaculatory duct two prostate ducts open into the lumen. The structure of the epithelium lining the different parts of the canal is described. The transition into the cirrus may be recognized by an abrupt change in the thickness, the electron density and the stratification in the basement lamina and by the disappearance of the epithelium absent indeed in the cirrus. The material found inside the cirrus-lumen is different according to the zone considered. The origin of this material and of the cirrus teeth is discussed.Abbreviations ab- apoptotic body - ba- bacteria - bb- basal bodies of cilia - bl- basement lamina - bw- body wall - c- cilia - cb- cell body - cgp- common genital porus - ci- cirrus - cip- cirrus plug - cl- lumen of cirrus - cm- circular muscles - cr- cytoplasmatic remnants - cs- cytoplasmatic sheets - ejd- ejaculatory duct - ep_ej- epithelium of ejaculatory duct - d- desmosomes - f- flagella of spermatozoa - fd- female duct - fp- female porus - gc- golgi complex - gl- glycogen particles - hd- hemidesmosomes - lm- longitudinal muscles - ly- lysosome-like body - m- muscles - m_b- muscles of the bulbus - m_c- muscles of the cirrus - m_c- muscles of the seminal vesicle - mi- mitochondria - ml- microvilli - ms- mesenchyme - n_sd- nuclei of the seminal duct - pd- prostate duct - pg- prostate glands - ri- ribosomes - s- septum - sb- secretory vesicle - sd- seminal duct - sp- spines - sv- seminal vesicle - v- vagina - vd- vas deferens     

3种蛾类雄性内生殖系统形态学研究

为了探究蛾类昆虫新的有效分类特征,本研究对直脉青尺蛾Geometra valida、白雪灯蛾Chionarctia niveus和多斑豹蠹蛾Zeuzera multistrigata雄性内生殖系统进行了解剖观察和形态学比较。结果表明：3种蛾类雄性内生殖系统均由精巢、贮精囊（前贮精囊和后贮精囊）、输精管、复射精管、单射精管（单射精管原节和单射精管表皮节）和附腺组成;种间形态差异表现在贮精囊的形状及连接方式、复射精管的形状及长短、单射精管和附腺的长度等方面,这些鉴别特征可为蛾类分类及系统发育研究提供形态学借鉴。     

草地螟雄蛾生殖系统的形态和结构

针对目前关于草地螟Loxostege sticticalis L.雄成虫生殖系统结构和功能的研究相对缺乏的状况,本文利用光镜和扫描电镜系统研究了草地螟雄蛾的内外生殖器官及相关结构。草地螟雄蛾内外生殖器官集中于腹部第5¹0腹节;内生殖器官位于510腹节;内生殖器官位于5⁸腹节内腔中,由睾丸(testes)、贮精囊(seminal vesicle)、输精管(vas deferens)、附腺(accessory gland)和射精管(ejaculatory ducts)组成;外生殖器官为腹部第9、10腹节的特化结构,包括抱握器(harpes)、背兜(tegumen)、基腹弧(vinculum)、钩形突(uncus)、颚形突(gnathos)、阳茎囊(aedeagal caecum)和阳茎(phallus)。外生殖器中抱握器的端刺(furcella)方向为雄蛾区别于其它种类的一个重要形态学特征。该研究首次明确了草地螟雄蛾的生殖系统结构,并为锥额野螟蛾属中种间分类提供更多的科学依据。     

Ultrastructure of the male reproductive accessory glands in the medfly Ceratitis capitata (Diptera: Tephritidae) and preliminary characterization of their secretions

The morphology and the ultrastructure of the male accessory glands and ejaculatory duct of Ceratitis capitata were investigated. There are two types of glands in the reproductive apparatus. The first is a pair of long, mesoderm-derived tubules with binucleate, microvillate secretory cells, which contain smooth endoplasmic reticulum and, in the sexually mature males, enlarged polymorphic mitochondria. The narrow lumen of the gland is filled with dense or sometimes granulated secretion, containing lipids. The second type consists of short ectoderm-derived glands, finger-like or claviform shaped. Despite the different shape of these glands, after a cycle of maturation, their epithelial cells share a large subcuticular cavity filled with electron-transparent secretion. The ejaculatory duct, lined by cuticle, has epithelial cells with a limited involvement in secretory activity. Electrophoretic analysis of accessory gland secretion reveals different protein profiles for long tubular and short glands with bands of 16 and 10 kDa in both types of glands. We demonstrate that a large amount of accessory gland secretion is depleted from the glands after 30 min of copulation.     

长足大竹象生殖系统的形态解剖研究

解剖研究了长足大竹象雌雄虫牛殖系统的构造.该虫的雌性生殖系统包括一对卵巢、一对侧输卵管、中输卵管、交配囊、受精囊、生殖腔、产卵器;雄性生殖系统由一对睾九、一对输精管、一对附腺、射精管和交配器组成.     

Isolation and biosynthesis of 20-hydroxyprostaglandins E1 and E2 in ram seminal fluid

Ram semen was found to contain 20-hydroxyprostaglandin E1 and 20-hydroxyprostaglandin E2. The relative amounts of the two compounds were almost equal, although ram semen contained at least 10 times more prostaglandin E1 than prostaglandin E2. The accessory genital glands of the ram were analyzed for their capacity to metabolize [14C]arachidonic acid to prostaglandins. Biosynthesis of prostaglandins was only found in microsomes of the mucosa of the ampulla of vas deferens and in microsomes of the vesicular glands. Ram vesicular glands and the ampulla of vas deferens were also found to contain the two 20-hydroxylated E prostaglandins. Microsomes of ram vesicular glands and NADPH metabolized exogenous prostaglandin E2 to 20-hydroxyprostaglandin E2 albeit in low yields. Prostaglandin E2 appeared to be a better substrate than prostaglandin E1. Microsomes of human seminal vesicles and NADPH metabolized exogenous prostaglandin E2 to 19-hydroxyprostaglandin E2. The results show that 19- and 20-hydroxylation of prostaglandins occurs in human and ram seminal vesicles, respectively, and possibly also in the ampulla of vas deferens of the ram. The ram and human enzymes specifically hydroxylated the terminal and the penultimate carbon of prostaglandin E2, respectively.