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Ultrastructural Characteristics of the Ejaculatory Duct of the Male Tsetse, Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

Elizabeth D. Kokwaro  and
Joyce K. Murithi
Elizabeth D. Kokwaro
Affiliation:
The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
Joyce K. Murithi
Affiliation:
The International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), P.O. Box 30772, Nairobi, Kenya
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Abstract

The ultrastructural changes in the ejaculatory duct epithelium in Glossina morsitans morsitans Westwood was examined for special features related to spermatophore formation; special attention was paid to the cytoplasmic organelles and the plasma membrane specializations (apical infoldings and space formation). Internally, the transportation system is characterized by a cuticle-lined lumen bordered by cuboidal cells. The endoplasmic reticulum is scarce, while mitochondria are distributed throughout the cytoplasm. At the cuticular surface of the cells, extensive apical infoldings are associated with numerous mitochondria. Glycogen granules are found only in the cytoplasm of teneral flies. Apically, adjacent cells are tightly apposed; however, prominent intercellular spaces develop (1 to 7 days), permeate most of the epithelium and connect to the basal surface of the cells. These are features characteristic of transporting cells believed to have an absorptive function. As the adult fly ages, the ultrastructural characteristics of the epithelium change and are typified by the disappearance of glycogen granules and the formation of intercellular spaces. The features of the ejaculatory duct are discussed briefly in terms of their role in spermatophore formation.

Résumé

Cette étude décrit des changements ultrastructurelles dans l'épithelium du vaisseau éjaculatoire de Glossina morsitans Westwood pendant les sept premiers jours après éclosion. Le système de transport est caractérisé a l'intérieur par un lumen cutico-linéaire bordé des leucocytes cubiques.

Le réticulum endoplasmique n'est pas abondant alors que les mitochondries sont reparties à travers tout le cytoplasme. Sur la surface apicale des leucocytes, plusieurs plissages sont associés a des vastes mitochondries. Des granules de glycogene ont été observees seulement dans le cytoplasme des jeunes mouches. Des changements ultrastructurelles de l'épithelium sont caractérisés par la disparition des granules de glycogene et la formation des espaces inter cellulaires en rapport avec l'âge. Des leucocytes apicalement adjacentes sont étroitement apposés, mais des espaces intercellulaires se developent (mouches agées de 1–7 jours), sont répandues sur l'épithelium et sont jointes à la surface basala des leucocytes. Ces traits sont caractéristiques des leucocytes transporteurs qu'on croit avoir aussi une fonction d'absorption. Les traits du vaisseau ejactulatoire sont ainsi décrits quant à leur rôle dans la formation du spermatophore.

Keywords

Ultrastructureejaculatory ducttsetseGlossina morsitans morsitansintercellular spacesapical infoldingsspermatophore
Type
Research Article
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 9 , Issue 4 , August 1988 , pp. 475 - 482
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1988

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