Ultrastructure of the reproductive system of the black swamp snake (seminatrix pygaea). III. Sexual segment of the male kidney

Abstract

In mature male snakes and lizards, a distal portion of the nephron is hypertrophied in relation to its appearance in females and immature males. This sexual segment of the male kidney apparently provides seminal fluid that is mixed with sperm and released into the female cloaca during copulation. In this article, we provide the first study at the ultrastructural level of seasonal variation in the sexual segment of the kidney of a squamate, the natricine snake Seminatrix pygaea. Previous workers have indicated that the sexual segment is secretory only when the testes are spermatogenically active. The sexual segment of the kidney in S. pygaea does not go through an extended period of inactivity but does show a cycle of synthesis and secretion that can be related to the spermatogenic cycle and mating activity. We show that synthesis of secretory product is initiated with the onset of spermatogenic activity in the spring and culminates with completion of spermiation in the fall. Secretion of the product, however, occurs in a premating period in March when the testes are inactive. Secretion during this premating period is probably necessary to provide time for the passage of the products down the ureter in order to mix with sperm during mating later in spring.

Peptidase activities in Crotalus durissus terrificus semen

“…In reptiles, the ductus deferens are recognized as the site of spermatozoa storage in males and, differently from mammals, the epididymis does not participate in sperm maturation and storage (Sever et al 2002). The ductus deferens of C. d. terrificus are convoluted and enter the cloaca independently of the ureters.…”

“…It is noteworthy that C. d. terrificus possesses PR structures, since squamates do not possess a prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and bulbo-urethral and urethral glands (Sever 2004). The renal sexual segment is known to act as an accessory sex organ (Sever et al 2002), from which those structures could have originated. This renal sexual segment of snakes secretes a complex of glycogen, Rattlesnake seminal peptidases mucopolysaccharides, lipids, mucoproteins, and phosphatases (Kü hnel & Krisch 1974) in a pattern that can be related to spermatogenic cycle and mating activity (Sever et al 2002).…”

“…The renal sexual segment is known to act as an accessory sex organ (Sever et al 2002), from which those structures could have originated. This renal sexual segment of snakes secretes a complex of glycogen, Rattlesnake seminal peptidases mucopolysaccharides, lipids, mucoproteins, and phosphatases (Kü hnel & Krisch 1974) in a pattern that can be related to spermatogenic cycle and mating activity (Sever et al 2002). However, since in the present study the semen was collected from the ductus deferens, it would not have mixed with fluids from the renal sexual segment but probably from other areas of major secretory activity in the snake urogenital system, e.g.…”

<b>Biologia reprodutiva da jararaca da Amazônia, <i>Bothrops atrox</i> (Serpente: Viperidae)</b>

“…A estocagem tem sido descrita em várias famílias de serpentes, tais como colubrídeos (SAINT-GIRONS, Outro fator importante a ser estudado na reprodução dos machos de serpentes, é o segmento sexual renal (SSR). O SSR localizado no rim é uma porção especializada do néfron, formado por um epitélio simples, constituído de células colunares com núcleo basal e presença de grânulos sexuais espalhados por todo o citoplasma (SEVER et al, 2002;KROMER;MARTINEZ;MASON, 2004). Uma característica importante que associa o SSR com a reprodução, é a hipertrofia dessa região, geralmente na época de acasalamento e com o aumento da atividade testicular SEVER et al, 2002).…”

“…O SSR localizado no rim é uma porção especializada do néfron, formado por um epitélio simples, constituído de células colunares com núcleo basal e presença de grânulos sexuais espalhados por todo o citoplasma (SEVER et al, 2002;KROMER;MARTINEZ;MASON, 2004). Uma característica importante que associa o SSR com a reprodução, é a hipertrofia dessa região, geralmente na época de acasalamento e com o aumento da atividade testicular SEVER et al, 2002). Tal fato é decorrente da associação do SSR com o hormônio testosterona KROMER;MARTINEZ;MASON, 2004).…”