›› 2006, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (1): 38-44.

• RESEARCH PAPERS • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Contents of the spermatheca of the grasshopper Oedaleus infernalis Saussure (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

HE Jian-Ping, XI Geng-Si, LU Jian, WEI Xian-Hui   

  1. Shaanxi Normal University
  • Online:2006-03-03 Published:2006-02-20

Abstract:

The contents of the spermatheca of the grasshopper Oedaleus infernalis Saussure were assayed with histochemistry and affinity-histochemistry methods. Spermathecae before and after mating were stained with PAS, bromophenol blue and Sudan black B. The results showed that the contents of spermatheca included carbohydrates, proteins and lipids, and there were clear differences in these contents in gland cells and spermathecal lumen between spermathecae before and after mating. These contents were in higher content in spermathecae after mating than in those before mating. This suggested that mating stimulated secretion by gland cells and resulted in accumulation of carbohydrates and proteins in the spermathecal lumen and duct. However, the content of lipids shown with Sudan black B staining showed no distinct differences in spermathecae before and after mating. Affinity-histochemistry results indicated that carbohydrates and proteins in spermathecae were present most in the form of glycoproteins, and oligosaccharides of these glycoproteins consisted mainly of mannose, galactose and glucose.

 

Key words: Oedaleus infernalis, spermatheca, content, histochemistry, affinity-histochemistry