Applied Entomology and Zoology
Online ISSN : 1347-605X
Print ISSN : 0003-6862
ISSN-L : 0003-6862
Studies on Eupyrene and Apyrene Sermatozoa in the Silkworm, Bombyx mori L. : Lepidoptera : Bombycidae : IV. The Behaviour of the Spermatozoa in the Internal Reproductive Organs of Female Adults
Sadaya KATSUNO
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1977 Volume 12 Issue 4 Pages 352-359

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Abstract

The eupyrene sperm bundles and apyrene spermatozoa were ejaculated simultaneously into the copulatory pouch. The former were separated and took a curved shape at about 30 minutes after ejaculation and the latter shrunk immediately after ejaculation. The seminal receptacle consists of two chambers; one is termed the large lobe to which the accessory gland belongs and the other which protrudes from the large lobe is the small lobe. The eupyrene spermatozoa mainly migrated from the copulatory pouch into the large lobe, while the apyrene spermatozoa mainly migrated into the small lobe through the large lobe forming several masses. The masses of apyrene spermatozoa dispersed soon after. As the degeneration of the apyrene spermatozoa in the small lobe gradually proceeded, the eupyrene spermatozoa in the large lobe migrated into the small lobe. When a considerable number of the apyrene spermatozoa in the seminal receptacle degenerated, the adult females began oviposition. The present observation suggests that the apyrene spermatozoa plays a certain benefical role to assist the eupyrene spermatozoa in the process of fertilization.

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© the Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology
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