The importance of insect sperm: Sperm ultrastructure of Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly)

Kotzé, Retha C.M.; Muller, Nolan; Plessis, Lizette du; Horst, Gerhard van der

doi:10.1016/j.tice.2019.06.002

Cited by 10 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Tissue isolation for the ultrastructure analysis was performed according to Kotzé et al. (2019). The isolated whole ink gland was fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde for 20 min at 25°C, then cut into small pieces (~1 mm 3 ) with a clean razor blade and fixed in fresh 2.5% glutaraldehyde at 4°C.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Ten individuals (from both the inking treatment and non-inking treatment) were anesthetized with 5% ethanol, and their ink glands were removed and prepared for TEM. Tissue isolation for the ultrastructure analysis was performed according to Kotzé et al (2019). The isolated whole ink gland was fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde for 20 min at 25°C, then cut into small pieces (~1 mm 3 ) with a clean razor blade and fixed in fresh 2.5% glutaraldehyde at 4°C.…”

Section: Transmission Electron Microscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Histology and ultrastructure of ink gland and melanogenesis in the cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis

Jiang

Xue

Chen

et al. 2020

Invertebrate Biology

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The ink gland in cephalopods is a modified part of the digestive tract that generates melanin used in defense activities against predators. In the present study, we document the histological structure of the ink gland of the cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis following light microscopy (LM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examinations. Based on the observations, we infer the series of cellular events leading to the formation and secretion of melanin. LM observations revealed that the cuttlefish ink gland was cord‐like, and could be separated into two distinct regions with different functions, based on markedly different cellular and biochemical characteristics. The region with the function of secreting ink was the epithelial cell region (i.e., mature ink gland cells) and was mainly composed of melanosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and mitochondria. Conversely, the connective tissue region was the site of formation of cells and energy supply. In addition, the most probable sequence of activities from melanogenesis to the release, based on TEM observations, is as follows: (a) formation of a matrix of opaque electronic substances (melanin precursors); (b) melanization in the precursor matrix to form melanin‐like particles; (c) further melanin granule development and enlargement, and gradual intensifying of the hue; (d) production of melanin granules (melanosomes) in the precursor matrix; (e) binding of melanosomes to the cytoskeleton and migration to the cell surface; (f) fusion of melanosomes with the cell membrane at the apical pole, and discharge of melanin granules into intercellular spaces or lumen by exocytosis or cell fragmentation. We also investigated how the process of continuous ink release influences ink gland histology and ultrastructure. Inking stimulation induced the release of large amounts of ink by epithelial cells, and was associated with cell disorganization, and severe cellular vacuolization, in addition to severe organelle damage.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Transmission Electron Microscopymentioning

confidence: 99%

Histology and ultrastructure of ink gland and melanogenesis in the cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis

Jiang

Xue

Chen

et al. 2020

Invertebrate Biology

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“…Over the last few years, considerable effort has been devoted to investigating BSF biology. In particular, the literature provides information regarding the functional properties of its digestive (39,46,(48)(49)(50)(51) and reproductive (52,53) system, the fat body (37), and other organs and structures (54)(55)(56)(57)(58). Although interest in these aspects is increasing, information about the immune system of BSF is still fragmentary.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insights Into the Immune Response of the Black Soldier Fly Larvae to Bacteria

et al. 2021

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In insects, a complex and effective immune system that can be rapidly activated by a plethora of stimuli has evolved. Although the main cellular and humoral mechanisms and their activation pathways are highly conserved across insects, the timing and the efficacy of triggered immune responses can differ among different species. In this scenario, an insect deserving particular attention is the black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae). Indeed, BSF larvae can be reared on a wide range of decaying organic substrates and, thanks to their high protein and lipid content, they represent a valuable source of macromolecules useful for different applications (e.g., production of feedstuff, bioplastics, and biodiesel), thus contributing to the development of circular economy supply chains for waste valorization. However, decaying substrates bring the larvae into contact with different potential pathogens that can challenge their health status and growth. Although these life strategies have presumably contributed to shape the evolution of a sophisticated and efficient immune system in this dipteran, knowledge about its functional features is still fragmentary. In the present study, we investigated the processes underpinning the immune response to bacteria in H. illucens larvae and characterized their reaction times. Our data demonstrate that the cellular and humoral responses in this insect show different kinetics: phagocytosis and encapsulation are rapidly triggered after the immune challenge, while the humoral components intervene later. Moreover, although both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria are completely removed from the insect body within a few hours after injection, Gram-positive bacteria persist in the hemolymph longer than do Gram-negative bacteria. Finally, the activity of two key actors of the humoral response, i.e., lysozyme and phenoloxidase, show unusual dynamics as compared to other insects. This study represents the first detailed characterization of the immune response to bacteria of H. illucens larvae, expanding knowledge on the defense mechanisms of this insect among Diptera. This information is a prerequisite to manipulating the larval immune response by nutritional and environmental factors to increase resistance to pathogens and optimize health status during mass rearing.

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“…Insects are the animal group with the most species diversity and high reproductive and survival ability (23,24). Although insects generally have high reproductive capacity, the number of follicles in each testicle varies between various groups (25).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to differences in testicular and follicle structure, sperm structure can also vary greatly between species. This is due to the fact that the sperm can have a suitable function and structure for successful fertilization of the insect (24,31,32). These differences in sperm structures can be phylogenetically determinant (33).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Histological and Electron Microscopical Observations on the Testis and Male Accessory Glands of Poecilimon ataturki Ünal, 1999 (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae)

Mutlu¹,

Polat²,

Suludere³

2021

ejb

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The importance of insect sperm: Sperm ultrastructure of Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly)

Cited by 10 publications

References 34 publications

Histology and ultrastructure of ink gland and melanogenesis in the cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis

Histology and ultrastructure of ink gland and melanogenesis in the cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis

Insights Into the Immune Response of the Black Soldier Fly Larvae to Bacteria

Histological and Electron Microscopical Observations on the Testis and Male Accessory Glands of Poecilimon ataturki Ünal, 1999 (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae)

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