Abstract: It was observed that testicular follicles from day 3 fourth instar nymph of the Oriental migratory locust Locusta migratoria rnanilensis cultured in TC199 or Grace's media were arrested at the stage of spermatocyte I. Addition of 10% FBS or locust testis homogenate could promote development to the stage of spermatocyte II.When cultured in media with 10% hemolymph from either the nymph of L. migratoria rnanilensis or the pupa of Antherea pernyi or Philosamia cynthia ricini, the follicles developed with massive production of spermatids and 20% sperms. Application of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-E) and JH-I had no effect on the development in the latter case. Testicular follicles of day 3 third instar nymph, day 3 fourth instar nymph and day 0 fifth instar nymph implanted into male or female adult locusts ceased development, which was promptly recovered by injection of 20-E. By implantation, intact testis could proceed spermatogenesis and produce sperms spontaneously within 8 days without iniection of ecdysone. These results indicate that the insect hemolymph contains factor(s) that can promote the differentiation of spermatids and spermatogenesis, and the factor(s) seems to be non-species specific. The effect of ecdysteroid might not be direct, but spermatogenesis and normal differentiation of spermatids need both ecdysteroid and hemolymph factor(s), and the intact testismight have its own source of ecdysone.

Key words: Locusta migratoria manilensis——spermatogenesis——hemolymph, ——20-hydroxyecdysone