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PubMed1975

Fine structure of the spermatheca of the mealworm beetle (Tenebrio molitor L.).

The spermatheca of the female mealworm beetle is an inflorescence of branching cuticular ducts which is connected to the bursa copulatrix via a cuticular neck surrounded by a muscular coat. The infolded bursal cuticle consists of a distinct outer epicuticle, inner epicuticle, procuticle, and a subcuticular zone; the latter is rich in mucopolysaccharides. The cuticle of the neck lacks a distinct procuticle. The cuticle of the spermatheca itself is mostly inner epicuticle with two thin underlying lamellae of procuticle. The cells of the bursa are loosely coupled to the procuticle, whereas cuticular projections bind the epithelia of the "neck" and the spermatheca proper to the underlying epithelia. The apical plasma membranes of the spermathecal epithelium are sinuous and much infolded; we believe that this epithelium controls the micro-environment within the cuticular ducts.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cestodes of the genera Gyrocoelia Fuhrmann, 1899 and Infula Burt, 1939, 1939 (Acoleidae) from the snipes of the Soviet Union].

The data are given on the morphology of cestodes of the genera Gyrocoelia Fuhrm,. 1899 and Infula Burt, 1939. It has been found that in the spermatheca of the female of G. perversa there are spermatozoids with an elongated head typical for Plathelminthes. In the spermatheca of the female of I. burhini were found spermatids with long tails. The final formation of spermatozoids in I. burhini takes place in the spermatheca. The taxonomic position of the species of Gyrocoelia found in the waters of the USSR has been made more precise: G. polytestis Saakowa, 1952 and Gyrocoelia sp. II Schaldibin, 1960-1961 are reduced to synonyms of Infula burhini and Gyrocoelia sp. I Schaldibin, 1960-1961 to a synonym of G. perversa. The number and size of the hooks of proboscis in the species of the genus Gyrocoelia vary in wide ranges and cannot be used as a taxonomic character. The number of testes and the structure of the egg membrane are constant for the species of this genus.

Animals↗
PubMed2025

Asymmetric development and function of paired sperm-storage organs in Drosophila melanogaster.

Paired structures often have similar forms and functions, but the processes underlying their formation can differ. They may originate from a common source or from parallel sources, or arise from distinct precursors that follow separate developmental pathways, ultimately converging on comparable structures and roles. When asymmetries emerge and persist through development, members of the pair can specialize in ways that might increase fitness. Here, we report that the Drosophila melanogaster female's pair of spermathecae, which appear similar and have the common role of sperm storage, derive from different developmental compartments defined by expression of lineage-tracing markers corresponding, respectively, to the key patterning genes engrailed and wingless. We further find that the two spermathecae show significant differences in size, secretory activity, and calcium levels and, perhaps as a consequence, sperm retention dynamics. These results open broad avenues for understanding how developmental, physiological, and behavioral asymmetries arise and impact reproductive success.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Characterization of temperature-sensitive, fertilization-defective mutants of the nematode caenorhabditis elegans.

The isolation and characterization of three Caenorhabditis elegans temperature-sensitive mutants that are defective at fertilization are described. All three are alleles of the gene fer-1. At the restrictive temperature of 25 degrees, mutant hermaphrodites make sperm and oocytes in normal numbers. No oocytes are fertilized, although they pass through the spermatheca and uterus normally. The oocytes can be fertilized by sperm transferred by wild-type males, indicating that the mutant defect is in the sperm. The temperature-sensitive period for the mutants coincides with spermatogenesis. Sperm made by mutants at 25 degrees cannot be distinguished from wild-type sperm by light microscopy. The sperm do contact oocytes in mutant hermaphrodites, but do not fertilize. Mutant sperm appear to be nonmotile. Mutant males are also steril when grown at 25 degrees. They trnasfer normal numbers of sperm to hermaphrodites at mating, but these sperm fail to migrate to the spermatheca and are infertile. The phenotype of these mutants is consistent with a primary defect in sperm motility, but the cause of this defect is not known.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Phenogenetics of a suppressor and an enhancer gene of the lozenge34k allel of Drosophila melanogaster.

The recessive sex-linked gene, lozenge34k, was initially identified on the basis of its effect on the compound eye of Drosophila melanogaster. However, its pleiotropic effects include modification of the antennae, legs and female reproductive structures as well. Two modifier genes, a third chromosome suppressor, su(lz34k), and a fourth chromosome enhancer, spae(lz), have been previously described and their effects on the various mutant characters of the lozenge34k phenotype were the basis of this study. These investigations included scanning electron microscope observations of the external morphology of the compound eye, a quantitative determination of the effects of the mutant genes on the tarsal claws, antennae and female reproductive capacity, and an examination of the functional ability of the compound eye. It was found that the modifier genes had little effect on the aspects of the lozenge34k phenotype other than the compound eye. The enhancer seems to suppress the lozenge phenotype with regard to the length of the antenna but otherwise there is no effect of the modifiers with regard to antennae, tarsal claws, spermathecae or female reproductive capacity (the number of eggs oviposited or the number of adult progeny ensuring from females tested). The lozenge-enhanced males also differed significantly from the other types in being less successful at inseminating females in the light. The lozenge and lozenge-suppressed males were more successful than the lozenge-enhanced but less so than the wild type. This can be related to their ability to "see" since in the dark all types were at an equal disadvantage. Wild flies exhibited a positive phototactic response, lozenge were significantly less responsive, and both the suppressed and enhanced flies were even less so. Compound-X females lacking the lozenge34k allele were tested for phototaxis. Those homozygous for the suppressor were significantly less phototactic than the others indicating that the suppressor alone has a phenotype at this level. Except for the phototactic response of lozenge-suppressed flies, the functional ability of the compound eye can be correlated with its morphology.

Alleles↗
PubMed1979

A new and unusual type of transport vesicle.

The adventitial cells surrounding the spermatheca of the reproductive system of Sonorella santaritana (Mollusa: Gastropoda) appear to have an unusual system of vesicles. Electron micrographs of the membranes forming these vesicles show that they have multiple openings to the cell's exterior and that each opening has "pore complex". In addition, secondary vesicles appear to be generated by the primary vesicles. Evidence is presented suggesting that these vesicles represent a previously unreported membrane transport system.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

[Analysis of mutation frequency following continuous and fractionated application of ethyleneimine and ethyl methanesulfonate to male sex cells of Drosophila melanogaster].

The increase in the frequency of recessive lethal sex-linked mutations induced by fractionated effect of ethylene imine (EI) an ethylmethanesulphonate (EMS) on mature sperm of Drosophila melanogaster was observed and compared uith prolonged treatment (8h) and with the additive effect. This effect of dose fractionation was observed in the case of the treatment of sperms in male gonads and in female spermathecas. The increase of the mutation frequency was noted by brood-pattern method after fractionated treatment of spermatocytes and spermatogonia only with EMS. This increase was not observed under the effect of EI on spermatocytes and spermatogonia because of the high sierilization activity of EI. Possible mechanisms of the effects observed are discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

[Mechanism of inactivation and mutagenesis induced by ethyleneimine in Drosophila melanogaster germ cells. VI. Dominant lethal mutations at different stages of spermatogenesis].

The object of this investigation was the frequency of dominant lethal mutations (DLM) induced by ethylene imine (EI) in spermatozoa, spermatids, spermatocytes I and spermatogonia of Drosophila melanogaster. The DLM frequency was shown to increase up to a certain level in case of storage of EI-treated spermatozoa in spermathecas of intact females. No such increase of the DLM frequency was observed for treated spematids. No differences in the induced DLM frequency between treated spermatozoa and spermatids were observed. The treatment of spermatocytes I resulted in the sterility of males; however, after the elapse of some time their fertility was restored at the expense of dividing spermatozoa. The sterility of males in case of the EI treatment of spermatocytes I is presumably caused by a great number of chromosome aberrations. The data obtained are discussed from the standpoint of the hypothesis of potential chromosome lesions. The realization of these potential chromosome damages in the groups of cells studied is assumed to depend on the activity of the protein synthesis or of the metabolism in the cells. The more active is the chromosome, the more rapidly are realized the potential chromosome damages.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Influence of ovarian maturity, age, and mating status on the antennal responses of wild and laboratory reared Xyleborus affinis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) to ethanol.

Xyleborus affinis Eichthoff is a neotropical ambrosia beetle that, in certain regions such as the United States and Mexico, has been associated with exotic phytopathogenic fungi causing extensive tree mortality. Although studies relating its olfactory response to volatile compounds and trapping systems have been published, factors such as the insect's physiological condition, which can affect its recognition or response to odors, have not been studied. Here, we evaluated the electroantennographic (EAG) response of wild and laboratory reared X. affinis females to 70% ethanol, a compound known to attract these insects. The experimental design was developed to consider and compare the following conditions: (i) females collected inside and outside host-galleries, (ii) sexual maturity (with mature and immature ovaries), (iii) age (0, 1, 3, and 5 d after emergence), and (iv) mating status (virgins and mated). Our results indicate that most of the wild females located outside the galleries were sexually mature but exhibited significantly lower EAG response than those inside the galleries. Regarding mating status, mated females exhibited significantly stronger antennal responses compared to virgins, whereas age did not affect antennal sensitivity. Finally, we provide images of the hitherto undescribed reproductive system of X. affinis females, a key element that enabled this investigation. The information generated offers a useful foundation for future studies aimed at understanding the physiological mechanisms and other critical factors related to sensory perception and reproductive condition. For example, factors that may influence the behavior and attraction of X. affinis females to host semiochemicals.

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