卵胎生硬骨鱼褐菖(鱼良)鲉精巢的周期发育

研究了卵胎生硬骨鱼褐菖(鱼良)鲉(Sebastiscus marmoratus)的精巢结构和生殖周期.褐菖(鱼良)鲉精巢属于小叶型.每年8～9月,精巢处于精原细胞增殖期.初级精原细胞分裂增殖,产生次级精原细胞.后者和支持细胞组成精小囊.10月～翌年1月进入精子发生期.精小囊中的生殖细胞进一步发育,逐渐形成精子.2～7月是精子退化吸收期,精巢中仅有初级精原细胞和残余的精子.在生殖季节,精子经由输出管和输精管运至尿殖突,通过体内受精方式送入雌鱼生殖道.     

Zur Entstehung der Spermatophore vonOpisthopatus cinctipes Purcell, 1899 (Onychophora,Peripatopsidae)

Zusammenfassung Alle Teile des männlichen Genitaltraktes vonOpisthopatus cinctipes sind an der Entstehung der Spermatophore beteiligt.In den Spermatocyten der Hoden werden in großer Zahl elektronendichte Sekreteinschlüsse produziert, die in den Vesiculae seminales zusammenfließen und aus der Spermatide in das Vesicula-Lumen entlassen werden.Während der Spermiocytogenese wird ein zweiter Typ von Einschlußkörpern gebildet, den wir als Akrosom-Vesikel deuten; auch er wird in der Samenblase ausgeschleust.In der Passage durch die Vasa efferentia werden fast reife Spermien und Sekret voneinander getrennt. An der Peripherie liegen die Sekrete, im Zentrum die Spermien.Im Vas deferens werden die Samenpakete von einer mehrschichtigen Sekrethülle umgeben. Durch den muskulösen Ductus ejaculatorius wird die Spermatophore abgegeben, auch in ihm finden sich Drüsenzellen.Dem Transport dienen in Vasa efferentia und Vas deferens Cilien.

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Formation of the spermatophore ofOpisthopatus cinctipes Purcell, 1899 (Onychophora, Peripatopsidae)

Summary All parts of the male genital tract ofOpisthopatus cinctipes are involved with the formation of the Spermatophore.In the spermatocytes within the testes a Golgi apparatus produces electron dense secretory granules merging into one large droplet, which is extruded by the spermatid within the seminal vesicle.A second vesicular structure is formed near the plasmamembrane of the spermatids by a Golgi apparatus. It is presumably an acrosome vesicle and is extruded into the seminal vesicle, too.During the passage through the vasa efferentia secretory products and sperm-cells are separated from each other, the secretory products building an envelope around the spermatozoa.The epithelium of the vas deferens adds a multilayered outer covering. Some parts of the male genital tract bear cilia (vasa efferentia, vas deferens).

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Herrn Prof. Dr. O. Kraus (Zoologisches Institut, Hamburg) danke ich für die Anregung, über Onychophoren zu arbeiten, sowie für seine hilfreiche Unterstützung     

Ontogenesis and ultrastructure of seminal vesicles of the catfish,Clarias gariepinus

The ontogenesis and structural characteristics of the seminal vesicles in Clarias gariepinus (sharptooth catfish) were studied by light and electron microscopy and are described in detail. The seminal vesicles, beginning as simple protrusions from the vas efferentia, becomes more complex with age. Their distal ends become fingerlike and the bases form palm-like extensions. Juvenile male organs do not reveal any signs of seminal vesicles although spermatogenic tissue is already well delineated. The developing gonads contain clusters of large cells, close to the sperm duct and cysts of the testis, from which seminal vesicles are formed. Secretory epithelium lines the tubules of the seminal vesicles and becomes columnar as the tissue matures. Electron micro-graphs of these epithelial cells reveal two types of cells: opaque cells and cells with very vacuolized cytoplasm. Dense pinocytotic vesicles are present between the membranes of neighbouring seminal tubules and apical cell membranes facing the lumen. Maturation and onset of secretion by the secretory cells is accompanied by morphological changes. Protruding cylindrical cells become shortened, modified to cuboidal, rounded cells that send tubular extensions into the lumen. In the final stage of differentiation, only connective tissue membranes supporting the tubule walls remain intact. At the points of contact between the testis, seminal vesicles, and sperm duct, the epithelia of these organs often become confluent. The distal parts of the seminal vesicles, rarely contain sperm; during spawning sperm accumulated in the proximal tubules of the vesicles. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Sperm Storage in the Yellow Dung Fly Scathophaga stercoraria: Identifying the Sperm of Competing Males in Separate Female Spermathecae

We examined the effects of male and female behaviour and morphology on the process of sperm storage in the yellow dung fly Scathophaga (Scatophaga) stercoraria. The larger of two males was more successful in transferring sperm to females' spermathecae the greater the difference in weight to his smaller competitor, as expected from previous studies by other authors. Sperm length, which is not correlated to body size, affected sperm access to the spermathecae, the female storage organs; longer sperm were more likely to be found in the spermathecae. A female typically had a singlet spermatheca and two spermathecae arranged as a pair, a doublet. However, there was variation from this pattern, which influenced the pattern of sperm storage. We measured the proportion of sperm from two competing males in females' singlet and doublet spermathecae. When the larger male's sperm were longer than his competitor's, they were more often in a female's singlet when he was her first mate and equally likely to be in the singlet or doublet when he was her second mate. When the larger male's sperm were shorter than his competitor's, the pattern was more complicated, principally because his sperm were not as successful at entering the female's doublet when he was her second mate. Counts of sperm, made using the same experimental procedure, showed that these effects were due to greater numbers of sperm entering the females' doublets when the larger male mated second. Sperm length was thus the factor with the largest single influence on the pattern of sperm storage. However, our most important result is that it was the interactions between male and female characters that were significant. Males mostly determine the early, especially precopulatory, events and females strongly influence the later ones.     

The Vas Deferens of the Spanish Lobster,Scyllarus chacei

Summary

The male reproductive tract of Scyllarus chacei consists of paired testes and vasa deferentia that conduct sperm containing spermatophores to the genital pores at the base of each fifth walking leg. The testis is joined to the vas deferens which can be divided into four regions: (1) the anterior vas deferens can be further divided into three regions. It is highly convoluted and is the region in which the sperm become encapsulated in ovoid spermatophores of approximately 100 sperm as well as produces seminal fluids. (2) The middle vas deferens is the primary site of sperm storage and adds to seminal fluids which formed in the anterior region. (3) The posterior region is highly muscularized and may serve for limited sperm storage. (4) The most distal portion is the ejaculatory duct which is highly muscularized for extruding the spermatophoric mass for transfer to the female. A final seminar product is added here.     

The male reproductive system of Costelytra zealandica (White)(Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Melolonthinae)

Abstract

The morphology and histology of the male internal reproductive organs of Costelytra zealandica show many similarities to other Scarabaeoidae, and are particularly close to other Melolonthinae and to Rutelinae. Testes follicles of C. zealandica have the usual structure for Melolonthinae with basal lobes surrounding the ends of the vasa efferentia. Epithelial cells of the vasa efferentia, vasa deferentia, and vesiculae seminales have similar densely basophilic cytoplasm but muscle layers are best developed around the latter. Accessory glands lack muscle and are not differentiated histologically into regions but do differ from their reservoirs. The ejaculatory duct has a cuticular intima and is differentiated into anterior and posterior regions. Both are surrounded by a muscular sheath which expands in the posterior region to enclose fluid. This forms a hydraulic mechanism for everting the internal sac during intromission. The parameres hook into the female’s genital chamber during copulation and have no pincer action. Probable homologies are listed between muscles of the external genitalia and anus of C. zealandica and other Scarabaeoidea.     

Polygynandry,face-to-face copulation and sperm competition in the Hihi Notiomystis cincta (Aves: Meliphagidae)

The Hihi or Stitchbird Notiomystis cincta breeding system is highly variable and includes monogamy, polyandry, polygyny and polygynandry. Males have large testes (4.2% of body mass), very large numbers (1460 × 10⁶) of sperm in their seminal glomera and an unusually enlarged cloacal protuberance. These features are also found in other species with highly variable mating systems where males are under intense sperm competition. Hihi copulate in two different positions: face to face and, more conventionally, with the male on the female's back. Face-to-face copulation is unique among birds and appears to be a form of forced copulation. The presence of enlarged cloacas in both sexes could aid the transfer of sperm. Both male and female Hihi appear to benefit from a mixed reproductive strategy where a female Hihi can solicit copulations from males other than her partner and male Hihi can perform extra-pair copulations both with willing females or by forced copulation.     

Ultrastructure of the Male Accessory Glands and Sperm Ducts of Cylindrotaenia hickmani(Cestoda,Cyclophyllidea)

Abstract The ultrastructure of unicellular accessory glands (= prostate glands) and external male ducts of the cestode Cylindrotaenia hickmaniare described. Accessory glands open into the lumen of the external common sperm duct (= external vas deferens). The gland cells contain abundant endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi bodies and secretory bodies, and have elongate necks that pierce the apical cytoplasm of the duct. Cell contact with the apical cytoplasm of the sperm duct is mediated by septate desmosomes. Accessory glands secrete spherical particles, with a diameter of approximately 70 nm, that adhere to spermatozoa. The roles of these accessory glands may relate to activity of the sperm or development of the female system after insemination. Paired sperm ducts arise from testes, and unite to form a common sperm duct. Each duct consists of a tubular anucleate cytoplasmic region which is supported by nucleated cytons that lie sunken in the parenchyma. The apical cytoplasm of the paired sperm ducts (= vasa efferentia) possesses apical microvilli and abundant mitochondria, but few other cytoplasmic features. The apical cytoplasm of the common sperm duct possesses sparse apical microvilli and numerous electronlucent vesicles. The male gonoducts form an elongate syncytium which is markedly polarized along the length of the ducts. The ducts also display apical–basal polarity in that sunken nucleated cytons support the apical cytoplasm which in turn has distinct basal and apical domains.     

Fishery Induces Sperm Depletion and Reduction in Male Reproductive Potential for Crab Species under Male-Biased Harvest Strategy

Sperm depletion in males can occur when polygynous species are intensively exploited under a male-biased management strategy. In fisheries involving crabs species, the effects of this type of management on the reproductive potential is far from being understood. This study tests whether male-biased management of the principal Chilean crab fishery is able to affect the potential capacity of Metacarcinus edwardsii males to transfer sperm to females. Five localities in southern Chile, recording contrasting crab fishery landing, were selected to assess the potential of sperm depletion triggered by fishery. Seasonally, male crabs from each locality were obtained. Dry weight and histological condition of vasa deferentia and the Vaso-Somatic Index (VSI) were determined in order to use them as proxies for sperm depletion and male reproductive condition. A manipulative experiment was performed in the laboratory to estimate vasa deferentia weight and VSI from just-mated males in order to obtain a reference point for the potential effects of the fishery on sperm reserves. Sperm storage capacity is significantly affected by fisheries; during the mating season vasa deferentia from localities with low fishery intensity were heavier than those from high intensity fisheries, and these differences were even more evident in large males. Histological section showed that this disparity in vasa deferentia weight was explained principally by differences in the quantity of spermatophores rather than other seminal material. VSI was always higher in males from localities with low fishery intensity. Males from localities with high fishery intensity showed little capacity to recover sperm reserves and the VSI of these males remained below the values of the just-mated males. Detriment in the capacity of males to transfer sperm is the first step to sperm limitation in an exploited population, thus detection of sperm depletion can be an alert to introduce changes in the current management of crabs.     

Female Mate Preference and Male Mating Success of Ayu Fish,Plecoglossus altivelis (Osmeridae) under a Promiscuous Mating System

The ayu, Plecoglossus altivelis, is known to show wide variation in adult body size. We examined the spawning behavior in experimental spawning groups of fish in which male body size varied. Males never competed with each other for females or spawning site, while females spawned repeatedly, 17–97 times depending on body size, with previous or novel males. Males exhausted their sperm after a single mating episode, on average, regardless of body size. Moreover, repeated sperm production apparently reduced the residual lifespan. Females preferred mating simultaneously with more than one male and allowed males of body size similar to their own to mate more frequently. Thus the largest male within a spawning group was not always the most successful at mating, but mating success of any given male appears to depend upon body size distribution of females within the population. Female mate preference has apparently evolved to ensure complete fertilization under circumstances where males have been selected to economize sperm output during any one mating episode.     

Swarming, Delayed Sexual Maturation of Males, and Mating Behavior of Fopius arisanus (Sonan) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae)

Fopius arisanus is unusual among hymenopterous parasitoids in males having an obligatory premating period. We confirmed Hagen's (1953) view that sperm takes several days to migrate from the testes to the seminal vesicles. Males mated for the first time only 4 days after emergence, the time that sperm was first ever recorded in the seminal vesicles. In the field, we studied the sexual maturation of F. arisanus males in relation to their behavior. In general, sexually immature males were found in male-only swarms that persisted over several days in host tree canopies. Mature males were usually found in loose aggregations in the vegetation beneath host trees. Females entered these loose aggregations and were mated, whereas they were generally absent from swarms in the canopy. Swarming is therefore apparently not a primary component of the sexual communication system of the species. We describe, for the first time in F. arisanus, the behavioral sequence that accompanies the intersexual communication that leads to mating. Males probably release a volatile chemical that attracts females from a distance, but we have only circumstantial evidence for this. We also postulate that males may form aggregations to amplify the effects of this distance attractant. In the vicinity of males, females release a pheromone that attracts males, a process we demonstrated with female-baited sticky traps.     

Aspects of germinal cyst and sperm development in Poecilia latipinna (Teleostei: Poeciliidae).

The structure of the testis of Poecilia latipinna is described with particular reference to Sertoli cell-germ cell relationships during development and maturation of the germinal cyst. The cyst develops when primary spermatocytes become surrounded by a single layer of Sertoli cells at the testis periphery. As spermatogenesis and then spermiogenesis proceed, the cyst moves centrally in the testis toward the ducts comprising the vasa efferentia. In addition to being a structural part of the germinal cyst, the Sertoli cells phagocytize residual bodies cast off by developing spermatids and form an association with mature bodies cast off by developing spermatids and form an association with mature sperm, which resembles that observed in mammals, before the sperm are released into the vasa efferentia as a spermatozeugmata. The results of this investigation are discussed in view of what is known concerning testis structure in other teleosts and similarities between cell functions in teleosts and mammals. It is concluded that teleost Sertoli cells, teleost lobule boundary cells and mammalian Sertoli cells are homologous.     

Variable mate-guarding time and sperm allocation by male snow crabs (Chionoecetes opilio) in response to sexual competition, and their impact on the mating success of females.

Two laboratory experiments investigated mate guarding and sperm allocation patterns of adult males with virgin females of the snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio, in relation to sex ratio. Although females outnumbered males in treatments, operational sex ratios were male-biased because females mature asynchronously and have a limited period of sexual attractiveness after their maturity molt. Males guarded females significantly longer as the sex ratio increased: the mean time per female was 2.9 d in a 2 males:20 females treatment compared to 5.6 d in a 6 males:20 females treatment. Female injury and mortality scaled positively to sex ratio. Males that guarded for the greatest number of days were significantly larger, and at experiment's end had significantly smaller vasa deferentia, suggesting greater sperm expense, than males that guarded for fewer days. In both experiments, the spermathecal load (SL)--that is, the quantity of ejaculate stored in a female's spermatheca--was independent of molt date, except in the most female-biased treatment, where it was negatively related. The SL increased as the sex ratio increased, mainly because females accumulated more ejaculates. However, similarly sized males had smaller vasa deferentia and passed smaller ejaculates, such that, at a given sex ratio, the mean SL was 55% less in one experiment than in the other. Some females extruded clutches with few or no fertilized eggs, and their median SL (3-4 mg) was one order of magnitude smaller than that of females with well-fertilized clutches (31-50 mg), indicating sperm limitation. Males economized sperm: all females irrespective of sex ratio were inseminated, but to a varying extent submaximally; each ejaculate represented less than 2.5% of male sperm reserves; and no male was fully exhausted of sperm. Sperm economy is predicted by sperm competition theory for species like snow crab in which polyandry exists, mechanisms of last-male sperm precedence are effective, and the probability that one male fertilizes a female's lifetime production of eggs is small.     

Sperm dimorphism in the Triatoma brasiliensis species complex and its applications

Morphological and structural features of the sperm of the Triatoma brasiliensis Neiva, 1911 (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) species complex were examined in this first study investigating the sperm of Heteroptera and the genus Triatoma. Males were dissected and their seminal vesicles removed. For measurement, seminal vesicles were squashed on glass slides, spread, fixed and observed under a photomicroscope. The images were analysed and measures of sperm were made. Data were analysed using one‐way analysis of variance and Tukey's test to detect differentiation among taxa. Furthermore, seminal vesicles were prepared for studies of transmission electron microscopy. All taxa studied showed polymorphic (short and long) sperm. The sperm of Triatoma brasiliensis macromelasoma was significantly longer (in total length) than that of the other four members of the complex, which supports the hypothesis of hybrid speciation of this member of the complex as an increase in the size of typical hybrids under heterosis was previously shown. The sperm cells of the five taxa have similar ultrastructural morphology. The ultrastructural features observed confirm the hypothesis, raised by previous studies, that they are synapomorphic to the suborder Heteroptera.     

Human sperm proteins from testicular and epididymal origin that participate in fertilization: modulation of sperm binding to zona-free hamster oocytes, using monoclonal antibodies.

In order to identify human sperm surface proteins involved in the gamete recognition process, mouse monoclonal antibodies were directed against human spermatozoa and screened with live spermatozoa by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Immunoperoxidase staining of human testis showed the early presence of four corresponding proteins on germinal cells, while six were detected primarily in testis fluid. The presence of 17 proteins was evidenced in the epididymis. Eight were detected with a decreasing gradient from the beginning to the end of the organ, including vasa efferentia for three of them. The other nine were observed in only one defined segment, usually the caput epididymis, which was found to be the most active region. Comparison of spermatozoa patterns from testis, vasa efferentia, and the three regions of epididymis pointed out a progressive coating. By contrast, three antibodies displayed a migration of spermatozoa surface domains in the course of epididymal transit. Six antibodies were found to inhibit human spermatozoa adherence to zona-free hamster oocytes, while nine promoted it. Molecular weights of antigens corresponding to nine of the antibodies ranged from 11 to 215 kDa. No correlation could be established with previously described human proteins. These observations emphasize the role of epididymis in human sperm maturation.     

Temporal shift between daily sperm movement and mating (sperm reflux) in the Asian comma butterfly,Polygonia c-aureum

Temporal changes in mating behavior and daily sperm movement were examined in adult males of the butterfly Polygonia c-aureum L. (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae), reared under L15:D9 photoperiod at 21 °C. In this butterfly, when extra sperm is present in the duplex (storage organ) at mating, sperm reflux occurs: extra sperm are moved from the duplex to the lower and middle portions of the vasa deferentia by peristaltic movement of the lower portion of the vasa deferentia. It is known in several moth species that daily sperm movement from the testis to the upper portion of the vasa deferentia and from the upper vasa deferentia to the duplex occurs in a circadian manner. If sperm reflux and daily sperm movement occur at the same time, it could create confusion, because these sperm movements are directed oppositely. In this study, we examined the temporal changes of sperm movement and mating behavior in P. c-aureum in order to clarify whether the two sperm movements are separated in time. Our results showed that most matings occurred during the second half of the photophase, whereas daily eupyrene (nucleate) sperm movement from the upper to the middle portion of the vasa deferentia occurred immediately after light on (early photophase), indicating the presence of a time lag between mating and daily sperm movement. As sperm reflux occurs during mating, these two oppositely directed sperm movements could be performed without conflict.     

Fine-structural characteristics of female and male germ cells in Proseriata Otoplanidae (Platyhelminthes)

Fine-structural features of female germ cells differentiating within the germaria of Otoplanella baltica and Notocaryoplanella glandulosa are documented and compared with those of other free-living platyhelminths having ectolecithal eggs.In these species, encompassed in the taxon Proseriata Lithophora, insemination of the germocytes occurs within the germaria. A sperm cell, that has penetrated a germocyte differs in special features from mature male germ cells found in the testes, in parts of the male genital system, or even in other regions of the organism. The hypothesis that dense bodies correspond to acrosomal material is supported.     

Reproduction in the Giant Isopod,Bathynomus giganteus

Summary

Aspects of the reproductive biology of the giant isopod, Bathynomus giganteus (Edwards) resemble those of other isopods. In females, the gonopores are located on the sternal midline of the eighth thoracic somite and the eggs are brooded in a marsupium. The reproductive tract of the males also resembles those of other isopods. The paired vasa deferentia open into two penes located on the sternal midline of the eighth thoracic somite. The vasa deferentia are formed of columnar epithelial cells with basal nuclei. The lumen is filled with seminal products consisting of aggregrates of spermatozoa surrounded by extracellular tubules. The sperm head consists of an acrosome and subacrosomal rod from which a pendant nucleus extends. The tails are composed of an amorphous core consisting of a dark band, two medium bands, two light bands followed by a dark band again. The tails are attached to the heads by a knob which is an extension of the core