Morphological and Developmental Traits of the Binucleation of Male Accessory Gland Cells in the Benthic Water Bug, Aphelocheirus vittatus (Hemiptera: Aphelochiridae)

Abstract The male accessory glands (MAGs) in insects are pair(s) of internal reproductive organs that produce and secrete the plasma component of seminal fluid. In various insects, MAG size is important for male reproductive success because the fluid provides physiologically active substances and/or nutrients to females to control sperm as well as female reproductive behaviors. Although the MAG epithelial cells in most insect species are standard mononucleate cells, those in some insect taxa are binucleate due to incomplete cytokinesis (e.g., Drosophila [Fallén] [Diptera: Drosophilidae]) or cell fusion (e.g., Cimex [Linnaeus] [Hemiptera: Cimicidae]). In the case of Drosophila, the apicobasal position of the two nuclei relative to the epithelial plane changes from vertical to horizontal after nutrient intake, which allows the volume of the MAG cavity to expand effectively. On the other hand, in the case of Cimex, the positions of the two nuclei do not change apicobasally in response to feeding, but their position relative to the proximodistal axis varies depending on the tubular/spherical organ morphology. Here, we report that the MAG of the benthic water bug Aphelocheirus vittatus (Matsumura) (Hemiptera: Aphelochiridae) shows binucleation in all epithelial cells. Despite the phylogenetically close relationship between Aphelocheirus and Cimex, the MAG cells in Aphelocheirus showed a Drosophila-like apicobasal change in the position of the two nuclei in response to feeding. Furthermore, the cytological processes during binucleation are more similar to those in Drosophila (incomplete cytokinesis) than to those in Cimex (cell fusion). These results indicate that the physiological role and mechanism of binucleation in MAG cells changed during the evolution of Hemiptera.

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Rab-mediated trafficking in the secondary cells of Drosophila male accessory glands and its role in fecundity

10.1101/266353 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

E. Prince ◽

M. Brankatschk ◽

B. Kroeger ◽

D. Gligorov ◽

C. Wilson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mating Behavior ◽

Seminal Fluid ◽

Cell Types ◽

Accessory Gland ◽

Molecular Organization ◽

Secretory Cells ◽

Rab Proteins ◽

Intracellular Membrane ◽

Accessory Glands ◽

Intracellular Membrane Transport

AbstractIt is known that the male seminal fluid contains factors that affect female post-mating behavior and physiology. In Drosophila, most of these factors are secreted by the two epithelial cell types that make up the male accessory gland: the main and secondary cells. Although secondary cells represent only 4% of the cells of the accessory gland, their contribution to the male seminal fluid is essential for sustaining the female post-mating response. To better understand the function of the secondary cells, here we investigate their molecular organization, particularly with respect to the intracellular membrane transport machinery. We determined that large vacuole-like structures found in the secondary cells are trafficking hubs labeled by Rab6, 7, 11 and 19. Furthermore, these cell-specific organelles are essential for the long-term post-mating behavior of females and that their formation is directly dependent upon Rab6. Our discovery adds to our understanding of Rab proteins function in secretory cells. We have created an online, open-access imaging resource as a valuable tool for the intracellular membrane and protein traffic community.

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The anatomy, histology, and physiology of the reproductive systems of Lytta nuttalli Say (Coleoptera: Meloidae). I. The internal genitalia

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z71-080 ◽

1971 ◽

Vol 49 (4) ◽

pp. 523-533 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

G. H. Gerber ◽

N. S. Church ◽

J. G. Rempel

Keyword(s):

Vas Deferens ◽

Ejaculatory Duct ◽

Reproductive Organs ◽

Accessory Gland ◽

Bursa Copulatrix ◽

Reproductive Systems ◽

Accessory Glands ◽

Internal Genitalia ◽

Spermathecal Gland ◽

Colleterial Gland

The anatomy and histology of the male and female internal genitalia of Lytta nuttalli Say and the functions of the various organs during copulation and oviposition are described. In addition to the ovaries, lateral and common oviducts, and vagina, the female system includes a spermatophoral receptacle, accessory gland, and spermatheca. The most distinctive feature is the voluminous spermatophoral receptacle, which seems to be homologous with the bursa copulatrix of other Coleoptera, but serves to store and digest old spermatophores. The accessory gland is not a colleterial gland, but instead produces materials that probably are involved in the transfer of the spermatozoa into the spermatheca. The epithelia of the calyces and oviducts secrete the frothy, mucilaginous material that coats the eggs at oviposition. In the absence of a separate spermathecal gland, the epithelium of the spermatheca apparently has taken over its functions. The ovaries contain several hundred ovarioles of the telotrophic type. The chief structures of the male system are three pairs of accessory glands plus the testes, vasa deferentia, and ejaculatory duct. Each vas deferens consists of an enlarged portion that serves as an additional accessory gland and a narrow part, which is the seminal vesicle. Materials produced in the three pairs of accessory glands and the glandular portions of the vasa deferentia are used in spermatophore formation. The testes contain several hundred short sperm tubes similar to those of other insects. The arrangement, form, and functions of the internal reproductive organs of L. nuttalli are compared with those of other insects. Observations made on the reproductive systems of four species of Epicauta are also discussed in this context.

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THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF THE VELVET MITE, ALLOTHROMBIUM LEROUXI (TROMBIDIFORMES: TROMBIDIIDAE)

The Canadian Entomologist ◽

10.4039/ent102144-2 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 102 (2) ◽

pp. 144-157 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

S. N. Mathur ◽

E. J. LeRoux

Keyword(s):

Seminal Vesicle ◽

Ejaculatory Duct ◽

Reproductive Organs ◽

Accessory Gland ◽

Male And Female ◽

Accessory Glands ◽

Receptaculum Seminis ◽

Female Reproductive Organs

AbstractThe anatomy and functions of the male and female reproductive organs of Allothrombium lerouxi Moss are described in detail. In the male, the reproductive organs consist of paired testes, paired vasa diferentia, a median seminal vesicle, a median ejaculatory duct, bursa expulsatoria, a penis, and a median accessory gland; in the female, they consist of paired ovaries, paired oviducts, a median uterus and a vagina. The function of the parts in the male differs from that reported in other species of Trombidiformes, and in females fertilization takes place in the spongy epithelium of the uterus instead of in the oviducts as in oribatids. Females also lack a receptaculum seminis and accessory glands.

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Drosophila Sex Peptide controls the assembly of lipid microcarriers in seminal fluid

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.2019622118 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 118 (5) ◽

pp. e2019622118

Author(s):

S. Mark Wainwright ◽

Ben R. Hopkins ◽

Cláudia C. Mendes ◽

Aashika Sekar ◽

Benjamin Kroeger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Seminal Fluid ◽

Fruit Fly ◽

Male Reproductive Success ◽

Mutant Proteins ◽

Macromolecular Assemblies ◽

Sex Peptide ◽

Accessory Glands ◽

Storage Organs ◽

Paired Male ◽

Male Specific

Seminal fluid plays an essential role in promoting male reproductive success and modulating female physiology and behavior. In the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, Sex Peptide (SP) is the best-characterized protein mediator of these effects. It is secreted from the paired male accessory glands (AGs), which, like the mammalian prostate and seminal vesicles, generate most of the seminal fluid contents. After mating, SP binds to spermatozoa and is retained in the female sperm storage organs. It is gradually released by proteolytic cleavage and induces several long-term postmating responses, including increased ovulation, elevated feeding, and reduced receptivity to remating, primarily signaling through the SP receptor (SPR). Here, we demonstrate a previously unsuspected SPR-independent function for SP. We show that, in the AG lumen, SP and secreted proteins with membrane-binding anchors are carried on abundant, large neutral lipid-containing microcarriers, also found in other SP-expressing Drosophila species. These microcarriers are transferred to females during mating where they rapidly disassemble. Remarkably, SP is a key microcarrier assembly and disassembly factor. Its absence leads to major changes in the seminal proteome transferred to females upon mating. Males expressing nonfunctional SP mutant proteins that affect SP’s binding to and release from sperm in females also do not produce normal microcarriers, suggesting that this male-specific defect contributes to the resulting widespread abnormalities in ejaculate function. Our data therefore reveal a role for SP in formation of seminal macromolecular assemblies, which may explain the presence of SP in Drosophila species that lack the signaling functions seen in D. melanogaster.

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Variation in sperm displacement and its association with accessory gland protein loci in Drosophila melanogaster.

Genetics ◽

10.1093/genetics/139.1.189 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 139 (1) ◽

pp. 189-201 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

A G Clark ◽

M Aguadé ◽

T Prout ◽

L G Harshman ◽

C H Langley

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Tract ◽

Seminal Fluid ◽

Glucose Dehydrogenase ◽

Natural Populations ◽

Fertilization Success ◽

Accessory Gland ◽

Male Reproductive Success ◽

Sperm Displacement ◽

Naturally Occurring ◽

Accessory Gland Protein

Abstract Genes that influence mating and/or fertilization success may be targets for strong natural selection. If females remate frequently relative to the duration of sperm storage and rate of sperm use, sperm displacement may be an important component of male reproductive success. Although it has long been known that mutant laboratory stocks of Drosophila differ in sperm displacement, the magnitude of the naturally occurring genetic variation in this character has not been systematically quantified. Here we report the results of a screen for variation in sperm displacement among 152 lines of Drosophilia melanogaster that were made homozygous for second and/or third chromosomes recovered from natural populations. Sperm displacement was assayed by scoring the progeny of cn;bw females that had been mated sequentially to cn;bw and tested males in either order. Highly significant differences were seen in both the ability to displace sperm that is resident in the female's reproductive tract and in the ability to resist displacement by subsequent sperm. Most lines exhibited nearly complete displacement, having nearly all progeny sired by the second male, but several lines had as few as half the progeny fathered by the second male. Lines that were identified in the screen for naturally occurring variation in sperm displacement were also characterized for single-strand conformation polymorphisms (SSCP) at seven accessory gland protein (Acp) genes, Glucose dehydrogenase (Gld), and Esterase-6 (Est-6). Acp genes encode proteins that are in some cases known to be transmitted to the female in the seminal fluid and are likely candidates for genes that might mediate the phenomenon of sperm displacement. Significant associations were found between particular Acp alleles at four different loci (Acp26Aa/Ab, Acp29B, Acp36DE and Acp53E) and the ability of males to resist displacement by subsequent sperm. There was no correlation between the ability to displace resident sperm and the ability to resist being displaced by subsequent sperm. This lack of correlation, and the association of Acp alleles with resisting subsequent sperm only, suggests that different mechanisms mediate the two components of sperm displacement.

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Glycodelin mRNA is expressed in the genital tract of male and female rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Journal of Molecular Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/jme.0.0230057 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 57-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

C Keil ◽

B Husen ◽

J Giebel ◽

G Rune ◽

R Walther

Keyword(s):

Epithelial Cells ◽

Reproductive Tract ◽

In Situ Hybridisation ◽

Physiological Role ◽

Reproductive Organs ◽

Female Rats ◽

Male And Female Rats ◽

First Time

In the present study we demonstrate for the first time the expression of glycodelin mRNA in the female and male genital tracts of rats using non-radioactive in situ hybridisation. Glycodelin fragment 1 (+41 to +141) shares 100% homology with the human gene sequence. In the ovary, glycodelin mRNA was restricted to granulosa cells. In the uterus, glycodelin mRNA was expressed in all epithelial cells of the endometrium. In the male reproductive tract, glycodelin mRNA was distributed in all epithelial cells of the epididymis, the prostate and the seminal vesicle. However, in the testis, glycodelin mRNA was predominantly found in spermatogonia and in spermatocytes of the seminiferous epithelium. The expression in several reproductive organs of rats offers an excellent tool to study further the physiological role of glycodelin, which is so far thought to act as an immunosuppressive factor.

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Mating Induces Switch From Hormone-Dependent to – Independent Steroid Receptor-Mediated Growth in Drosophila Prostate-Like Cells

10.1101/533976 ◽

2019 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Aaron Leiblich ◽

Josephine E. E. U. Hellberg ◽

Aashika Sekar ◽

Carina Gandy ◽

Siamak Redhai ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cancer Progression ◽

Seminal Fluid ◽

Sexual Experience ◽

Adult Life ◽

Accessory Gland ◽

Accessory Glands ◽

Morphogenetic Protein ◽

A Cell ◽

Cell Type Specific ◽

Bmp Signalling

AbstractMale reproductive glands like the mammalian prostate and the paired Drosophila melanogaster accessory glands secrete seminal fluid components that enhance fecundity. In humans, the prostate grows throughout adult life, stimulated by environmentally regulated endocrine and local androgens. We previously showed that in each fly accessory gland, secondary cells (SCs) and their nuclei also grow in adults, a process enhanced by mating and controlled by bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling. Here we demonstrate that BMP-mediated SC growth is dependent on the receptor for the developmental steroid, ecdysone, whose concentration reflects socio-sexual experience in adults. BMP signalling regulates ecdysone receptor (EcR) levels post-transcriptionally, partly via EcR’s N-terminus. Nuclear growth in virgin males is ecdysone-dependent. However, mating activates genome endoreplication to drive additional BMP-mediated nuclear growth via a cell type-specific form of hormone-independent EcR signalling. In virgin males with low ecdysone levels, this mechanism ensures resources are conserved. However, by switching to hormone-independence after mating, this control is overridden to hyper-activate growth of secretory secondary cells. Our data suggest parallels between this physiological, behaviour-induced switch and altered pathological signalling associated with prostate cancer progression.

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Tactic-specific antimicrobial activity suggests a parental care function for accessory glands in a marine toadfish

Proceedings of The Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rspb.2020.2873 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 288 (1947) ◽

Author(s):

Meghan A. Pepler ◽

Hindra ◽

Jessica S. Miller ◽

Marie A. Elliot ◽

Sigal Balshine

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Reproductive Organs ◽

Accessory Gland ◽

Sperm Duct ◽

Accessory Glands ◽

Porichthys Notatus ◽

Wide Range ◽

Reproductive Male ◽

Plainfin Midshipman ◽

Established Role

Males of some species possess extra reproductive organs called accessory glands which are outgrowths of the testes or sperm duct. These organs have a well-established role in reproduction; however, they also appear to have other important functions that are less understood. Here, we investigate the function of the highly complex accessory glands of a marine toadfish, Porichthys notatus , a fish with two reproductive male types: large care-providing ‘guarder’ males and small non-caring ‘sneaker’ males. While both male types have accessory glands, guarder male accessory glands are much larger relative to their body size. We show that accessory gland fluids strongly inhibit the growth of bacterial genera associated with unhealthy eggs and have no effect on the growth of strains isolated from healthy eggs. This antibacterial effect was particularly pronounced for extracts from guarder males. Furthermore, we demonstrate that both healthy and unhealthy plainfin midshipman eggs have diverse but distinct microbial communities that differ in their composition and abundance. The highly specific inhibitory capacity of accessory gland fluid on bacteria from unhealthy eggs was robust across a wide range of ecologically relevant temperatures and salinities. Collectively, these ecological and molecular observations suggest a care function for the accessory gland mediated by antimicrobial agents.

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Drosophila Sex Peptide Controls the Assembly of Lipid Microcarriers in Seminal Fluid

10.1101/2020.04.24.059238 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

S. Mark Wainwright ◽

Cláudia C. Mendes ◽

Aashika Sekar ◽

Benjamin Kroeger ◽

Josephine E.E.U. Hellberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Reproductive Success ◽

Neutral Lipid ◽

Seminal Fluid ◽

Critical Role ◽

Fruit Fly ◽

Male Reproductive Success ◽

Sex Peptide ◽

Accessory Glands ◽

Assembly Factor ◽

Female Physiology

AbstractSeminal fluid plays an essential role in promoting male reproductive success and modulating female physiology and behaviour. In the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, Sex Peptide (SP) is the best-characterised protein mediator of these effects. It is secreted from the paired male accessory glands (AGs), which, like the mammalian prostate and seminal vesicles, generate most of the seminal fluid contents. After mating, SP binds to spermatozoa and is retained in the female sperm storage organs. It is gradually released by proteolytic cleavage and induces several long-term post-mating responses including ovulation, elevated feeding and reduced receptivity to remating, primarily signalling through the SP receptor (SPR). Here, we demonstrate a previously unsuspected SPR-independent function for SP. We show that, in the AG lumen, SP and secreted proteins with membrane-binding anchors are carried on abundant, large neutral lipid-containing microcarriers, also found in other SP-expressing Drosophila species. These microcarriers are transferred to females during mating, where they rapidly disassemble. Remarkably, SP is a key assembly factor for microcarriers and is also required for the female disassembly process to occur normally. Males expressing non-functional SP mutant proteins that affect SP’s binding to and release from sperm in females also do not produce normal microcarriers, suggesting that this male-specific defect contributes to the resulting widespread defects in ejaculate function. Our data therefore reveal a novel role for SP in formation of seminal macromolecular assemblies, which may explain the presence of SP in Drosophila species, which lack the signalling functions seen in D. melanogaster.Significance StatementSeminal fluid plays a critical role in reprogramming female physiology and behaviour to promote male reproductive success. We show in the fruit fly that specific seminal proteins, including the archetypal ‘female-reprogramming’ molecule Sex Peptide, are stored in male seminal secretions in association with large neutral lipid-containing microcarriers, which rapidly disperse in females. Related structures are also observed in other Sex Peptide-expressing Drosophila species. Males lacking Sex Peptide have structurally defective microcarriers, leading to abnormal cargo loading and transfer to females. Our data reveal that this key signalling molecule in Drosophila seminal fluid is also a microcarrier assembly factor that controls transfer of other seminal factors, and that this may be a more evolutionarily ancient role of this protein.

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The anatomy and histology of the internal reproductive organs of the sunflower beetle, Zygogramma exclamationis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z78-342 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 56 (12) ◽

pp. 2542-2553 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

G. H. Gerber ◽

G. B. Neill ◽

P. H. Westdal

Keyword(s):

Ejaculatory Duct ◽

Reproductive Organs ◽

Accessory Gland ◽

Bursa Copulatrix ◽

Reproductive Systems ◽

Accessory Glands ◽

Basic Features

The anatomy and histology of the female and male internal reproductive organs of the sunflower beetle, Zygogramma exclamationis (F.), are described. The female system consists of a vagina, bursa copulatrix, common oviduct, lateral oviducts, spermatheca, spermathecal accessory gland, and ovaries. Twelve ovaries examined contained from 23 to 32 telotrophic ovarioles, the average being 27.3. The male system consists of a pair of bilobed testes, a pair of accessory glands, vasa deferentia, and an ejaculatory duct which is bifurcated at its anterior end. Three testes examined contained 34, 36, and 37 sperm tubes, respectively. The basic features of the reproductive systems of Z. exclamationis are similar to those of other Chrysomelidae.

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