Insect Accessory Reproductive Glands: Key Players in Production and Protection of Eggs

Abstract

Accessory reproductive glands (ARG) (defined as secretory components of the internal reproductive system whose products play a role in a species' reproductive strategy) have an array of forms, reflecting the morphological diversity of the Insecta. In addition to specialized collateral glands, all parts of the reproductive tract may have glandular cells. The secretions produced by ARC have a wide variety of both pre-and post-copulatory functions, including nourishment of gametes, packaging and transport of sperm, induction of behavioural and physiological changes in the mated female (notably changes in female receptivity and oviposition behaviour), protection, transfer, and attachment of fertilized eggs to a substrate or

Gross morphology and ultrastructure of the female reproductive system of Diaphorina citri (Hemiptera: Liviidae)

“…The release of the electron-lucent secretions from the accessory gland of D. citri, may be linked to time-dependent physiological mechanisms, such as egg laying and fixation onto the substrate, as reported elsewhere (GILLOTT 2002, KLOWDEN 2007, DE SANTIS et al 2008.…”

“…The occurrence and location of accessory structures may differ among species as they are highly specialized secretory organs involved in the synthesis of molecules related to several aspects of reproduction (sperm storage and nourishment, egg laying, among others). The synthesis and release of their contents are often linked to time-dependent physiological events during the reproductive stage (STURM & POHLHAMMER 2000, GILLOTT 2002, KLOWDEN 2007. Although the accessory structures are frequently linked to the basal region of the common oviduct (BÜNING 1994), they are placed in different regions of the common oviduct in D. citri.…”

Proteinaceous adhesive secretions from insects, and in particular the egg attachment glue of Opodiphthera sp. moths

“…As it dehydrates in air, the viscous secretion darkens, changing into a water-insoluble sticky and rubbery material which, when fully dried, is brown and no longer tacky (Beament andLal, 1957, republished by Hinton, 1981). Thus, despite periodic expressions of interest from naturalists (e.g., Monarch Watch, 2003), most insect adhesive secretions have at best been described in rather superficial terms, and many have not been investigated at all using modern techniques (Gillott, 2002). We therefore thought it would be informative to source biological glues from insects occupying a range of habitats in Australia, a country known for the diversity of its insect fauna.…”

“…Most investigations of insect glues, however, consist of rudimentary studies performed many decades ago (Gillott, 2002). For example, selective staining suggested that the egg attachment adhesive of Drosophila melanogaster lacks lipids but contains proteins and carbohydrates linked to form mucoproteins (Riley and Forgash, 1967).…”

Ultrastructural Localization of Basic Proteins and Carbohydrates in Male Accessory Glands of Two Triatoma Species (Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Triatominae)

“…The secretions of male insect accessory gland play multifunctional roles in the transference, activation, and protection of germ cells, as well as in changing female behavior and stimulating ovarian development and oviposition (Davey 1958;Fuchs et al 1969;Pickford et al 1969;Friedel and Gillot 1977;Chen 1984;Hartmann and Loher 1999;Gillot 2002Gillot , 2003.…”