Fine structure with regard to sperm functions of the ductus ejaculatoris duplex of the male reproductive tract ofHeliothis armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Abstract

The'S' shaped duplex gland, the shortest among the male reproductive glands, ultrastructurally exhibits only a single cell type, characterized by the presence of multishaped rough endoplasmic reticulum, polymorphic Golgi bodies and vesicles. The frequent mode of secretion appears apocrine, with occasional merocrine and holocrine. Continuous with the height of secretory activity, the epithelia degenerates leaving only basement membrane and muscle layers.

Ultrastructure of the male accessory glands of sesarmid crab, Parasesarma plicatum (Latreille, 1803)

“…The highly electron-dense vesicles, the electron-lucent, and the medium electron-dense vesicles that amass at various regions of the epithelial cytoplasm appear to be secretory precursors, which are partially discharged by merocrine and apocrine secretion. The microvilli seen at the luminal surface of the epithelium in the present study strongly suggests the merocrine mechanism as recorded in O. ceratophthalmus [ 23 ], M. messor , S. quadratum [ 24 ], and H. armigera [ 27 ]. The electron-dense vesicles accumulated at the apical epithelium, and were released into the lumen with mechanical damage to the apical surface.…”

“…This was already reported in the AG epithelium of M. messor and S. quadratum [ 8 ] and in the VD epithelium of the cray fish, Cherax albidus [ 26 ]. Furthermore, the microvilli seen at the luminal surface of the epithelium in the present study suggest the transport of secretory materials as in O. ceratophthalmus [ 23 ], M. messor , S. quadratum [ 24 ], and Helothis armigera [ 27 ].…”