Structure of male accessory glands of Bolivarius siculus (Fischer) (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae) and protein analysis of their secretions

In Orthoptera Tettigoniidae, male reproductive accessory glands are involved in theconstruction of a two-part spermatophore; one part, the spermatophylax, is devoid of sperm.The morphology, ultrastructure and secretion protein content of the male reproductive accessory glands from Bolivarius siculus were investigated. Two main groups of gland tubules open into the ejaculatory duct: the “first order” glands, a number of large anteriortubules, and the “second order” glands, smaller and more numerous tubules positioned posteriorly. The mesoderm-derived epithelium of all glands is a single layer of microvillatedcells, which can be both flattened or cylindric in the proximal or distal region of the same gland. Epithelial cells, very rich in RER and Golgi systems, produce secretions of bothelectron-dense granules and globules or electron-transparent material, discharged into thegland lumen by apocrine or merocrine mechanisms, respectively. To assess the contribution of different types of accessory glands to the constrution of the spermatophore, the proteincomponents of gland secretions and spermatophore extracts were comparatively analyzed by electrophoresis. A spermatophore high molecular weight protein band (>180 kDa), mostly present in the spermatophylax, was found exclusively in the first order glands.