The morphology of the bean-shaped accessory glands (BAGs) of males of Tenebrio molitor is described. All cells in the secretory epithelium are long and narrow (300-400 mμ × 5 mμ). The seven types of secretory cells are distinguished from one another by the morphology of their secretory granules. Granule substructure varies from simple spheres with homogeneous electrondense contents to complex forms with thickened exterior walls or with crystalline and membranous contents. Individual cell types were mapped by staining whole glands with Oil Red O, and the cell distributions were confirmed by wax histology and ultramicroscopy. The secretions of all seven cell types form a secretory plug composed of seven layers. During mating, the secretory plug from each BAG is forced into the ejaculatory duct by contractions of a sheath of circular muscle. The mirror image plugs from symmetrical BAGs fuse and are transformed into the wall of the spermatophore.
The bean-shaped accessory glands of male mealworm beetles are morphologically complex. Seven distinct cell types produce a semisolid secretory mass that contains structural proteins of the spermatophore. Cell numbers increase 3.5-fold over the pupal instar, and gland volume increases 30-fold over the pupal and early adult stage. DNA content reaches its maximum at adult ecdysis (11 pglsecretory cell), RNA at 4 days later (55 pgkell), and protein at 6 days after ecdysis (1.200 pglcell). Rates of 14C-and 3H-leucine incorporation increase in parallel to the rise in protein content. Over ten putative secretory protein bands were identified by using one-dimensional SDS-slab gel electrophoresis to compare BAG homogenates with homogenates of the secretory mass and the spermatophore. At least five of these secretory proteins accumulate in BAGs after adult ecdysis, and most show high rates of leucine incorporation in the adult. Twodimensional gel electrophoresis (PI and SDS) and fluorography allowed us to identify a score of reference spots, at least seven spots that are characteristic of the pupa, and over 40 spots that appear to be differentiation-specific and are presumably secretory products. The fluorographic indices give an unambiguous means of scoring terminal differentiation in the BAG.
~~ ~PaLrick .I. Uaileys present address is University 01 Southern 11-Iinois. School 01 Uentistrv. Alton. I L 62002.
Secretion in the salivary glands of Gromphadorhina portentosa involves three cell types: parietal cells, secretory cells, and duct cells. The organization and role of the parietal and secretory cells are here considered. Parietal cells have numerous mitochondria, indicating an active metabolic role and the subsequent production of ATP. Plasma membrane invaginations and intracellular ductules containing microvilli appear to function in the absorption of solutes from the hemolymph and finely-tapered ductules. Secretory cells contain abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum, the three forms (stacked, vesicular, and diffuse) of which appear to develop sequentially during maturation. Secretory vesicle formation is asynchronous between adjacent secretory cells, and apparently the large vesicles often coalesce. The secretory vesicles also show differing degrees of electron density, indicating distinct biochemical composition.
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