Structure of the accessory glands and duplex of the internal male reproductive system of Calpodes ethlius (Hesperiidae, Lepidoptera)

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 1202-1215 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Lai-Fook
Keyword(s):  
Secretory Cell ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Secretory Activity ◽  
Apical Region ◽  
Apical Surface ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Apyrene Sperm ◽  
Eupyrene Sperm ◽  
Single Cell Type

The paired accessory glands of Calpodes ethlius are long, blind tubes which open into the ductus ejaculatorius duplex (duplex) at a constriction. They are held closely together to each other by tracheoles. Combined light and electron microscopy suggests that there are at least six regions. These regions are identified by the fine structure of their epithelia and their luminal contents, characterized by some preliminary histochemistry. A structurally uniform merocrine secretory cell is found throughout the length of the gland. However, the differences that occur do so in the apical surface structure, especially the microvilli and the occasional bleb indicating apocrine activity. The other major element is an apocrine secretory cell with highly modified mitochondria and apical region. The latter consists of compartments which are filled with glycogen and organelles and which protrude into the lumen. The merocrine secretions include a variety of globular structures of varying sizes and densities and two filamentous elements in addition to the matrix. The U-shaped duplex is very short and joined to the accessory glands, vasa deferentia, and simplex. Its epithelium consists of a single cell type; however, there are obvious signs of asynchronous secretory activity in adjacent areas within the duplex. There are also some suggestions of apocrine activity although the epithelium is largely merocrine. The lumen contains, in addition to its own secretions, secretions of the vasa deferentia, apyrene sperm, and eupyrene sperm bundles. The latter are confined to the areas around the openings of the vasa deferentia.

Structure of the noncuticular simplex of the internal male reproductive tract of Calpodes ethlius (Hesperiidae, Lepidoptera)

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 1184-1201 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Lai-Fook
Keyword(s):  
Cellular Structure ◽  
Secretory Cell ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Secretory Cells ◽  
Apical Region ◽  
Apical Surface ◽  
Male Reproductive Tract ◽  
Circular Layer ◽  
Secretory Products ◽  
Longitudinal Layer

The ductus ejaculatorius simplex (simplex) of the reproductive tract of the adult male of Calpodes ethlius is separated by distinct constrictions into seven segments, varying in length from 0.24 to 19.3 mm and totalling 4 cm. Two of the segments, S1 and S5, are further divisible into three and two parts, respectively, on the basis of either cellular structure or secretory products. The most distinctive region is the most anterior one which is made up of two distinctly different cells, one a merocrine secretory cell which resembles the cells of all other regions, and the other an apocrine secretory cell whose highly modified apical region is sloughed upon copulation. All segments are surrounded by two layers of muscle, a thin, inner circular layer and a more robust, outer longitudinal layer, which are supplied with tracheoles and nerves. Tracheoles also penetrate the epithelium of segment seven. The merocrine secretory cells of all segments are similar in that they all have well-developed endoplasmic reticulum, numerous Golgi and mitochondria, and a microvillate apical surface. Nonetheless, the cells of each segment are distinguished by some feature of either their structure or their secretions.

Effects of EDTA, Hyaluronidase and Collagenase on Epiphyseal Cartilage Matrix

1968 ◽  
Vol 26 ◽  
pp. 56-57
Author(s):  
H. Clarke Anderson ◽  
Priscilla R. Coulter
Keyword(s):  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Matrix Vesicles ◽  
Cartilage Matrix ◽  
Collagen Fibrils ◽  
Epiphyseal Cartilage ◽  
Dense Matrix ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Bovine Testicular Hyaluronidase ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Testicular Hyaluronidase

Epiphyseal cartilage matrix contains fibrils and particles of at least 5 different types: 1. Banded collagen fibrils, present throughout the matrix, but not seen in the lacunae. 2. Non-periodic fine fibrils <100Å in diameter (Fig. 1), which are most notable in the lacunae, and may represent immature collagen. 3. Electron dense matrix granules (Fig. 1) which are often attached to fine fibrils and collagen fibrils, and probably contain protein-polysaccharide although the possibility of a mineral content has not been excluded. 4. Matrix vesicles (Fig. 2) which show a selective distribution throughout the epiphysis, and may play a role in calcification. 5. Needle-like apatite crystals (Fig. 2).Blocks of formalin-fixed epiphysis from weanling mice were digested with the following agents in 0.1M phosphate buffer: a) 5% ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) at pH 8.3, b) 0.015% bovine testicular hyaluronidase (Sigma, type IV, 750 units/mg) at pH 5.5, and c) 0.1% collagenase (Worthington, chromatograhically pure, 200 units/mg) at pH 7.4. All digestions were carried out at 37°C overnight. Following digestion tissues were examined by light and electron microscopy to determine changes in the various fibrils and particles of the matrix.

Colleters in the vegetative axis of Aechmea blanchetiana (Bromeliaceae): anatomical, ultrastructural and functional aspects

2018 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Ballego-Campos ◽  
Elder Antônio Sousa Paiva
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Secretory Activity ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Reproductive Axis ◽  
Functional Aspects ◽  
The Family ◽  
Marginal Cells ◽  
First Time

Colleters are common among eudicotyledons, but few records exist for monocotyledons and other groups of plants. For Bromeliaceae, mucilage secretions that protect the young portions of the plant have been observed only in the reproductive axis, and little is known about the secretory systems behind this or even other kind of secretions in the family. We aimed to describe, for the first time, the occurrence of colleters associated with the vegetative shoot of Aechmea blanchetiana (Baker) L.B.Sm., and elucidate aspects of their structure, ultrastructure and secretory activity. Samples of various portions of the stem axis were prepared according to standard methods for light and electron microscopy. Colleters were found compressed in the axillary portion of leaves and in all leaf developmental stages. Secretory activity, however, was found to be restricted to young and unexpanded leaves. The colleters displayed a flattened hand-like shape formed by a multiseriate stalk and an expanded secretory portion bearing elongated marginal cells. Ultrastructural data confirmed that the secretory role of the colleters is consistent with mucilaginous secretion. The functional roles of the colleters are discussed with regard to environmental context and intrinsic features of the plant, such as the presence of a water-impounding tank.

scholarly journals Destination of apyrene sperm following migration from the bursa copulatrix in the monandrous swallowtail butterfly Byasa alcinous

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatsuro Konagaya ◽  
Naoto Idogawa ◽  
Mamoru Watanabe
Keyword(s):  
Sperm Storage ◽  
Bursa Copulatrix ◽  
Swallowtail Butterfly ◽  
Storage Organs ◽  
Apyrene Sperm ◽  
Eupyrene Sperm ◽  
Spermathecal Gland

AbstractMost male lepidopterans produce fertile eupyrene sperm and non-fertile apyrene sperm, both of which are transferred to the female in a spermatophore during mating. Apyrene sperm outnumbers eupyrene sperm and both sperm types migrate from the bursa copulatrix to the spermatheca after mating. While eupyrene sperm are maintained in the spermatheca until oviposition, the number of apyrene sperm decreases with time. It is unclear whether apyrene sperm disappear from all sperm storage organs in females because both sperm types are often observed in the spermathecal gland. To investigate this, the numbers of both sperm types were estimated in the spermatheca and spermathecal gland of female Byasa alcinous (a monandrous butterfly) 6, 12, 48, 96, and 192 h after mating terminated. Apyrene sperm arrived in the spermatheca earlier than eupyrene sperm; however, some eupyrene and apyrene sperm migrated to the spermathecal gland from the spermatheca at almost the same time. The number of apyrene sperm reached a peak 12 h after the termination of mating and then decreased with time in both the spermatheca and spermathecal gland. Our results suggest that the role of apyrene sperm might be completed early after arriving in the spermatheca of B. alcinous.

scholarly journals Apical Membrane Targeting of Nedd4 Is Mediated by an Association of Its C2 Domain with Annexin Xiiib

2000 ◽  
Vol 149 (7) ◽  
pp. 1473-1484 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela J. Plant ◽  
Frank Lafont ◽  
Sandra Lecat ◽  
Paul Verkade ◽  
Kai Simons ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Apical Membrane ◽  
Mdck Cells ◽  
Immunogold Electron Microscopy ◽  
Apical Plasma Membrane ◽  
Apical Region ◽  
Apical Surface ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Interacting Proteins ◽  
C2 Domain

Nedd4 is a ubiquitin protein ligase (E3) containing a C2 domain, three or four WW domains, and a ubiquitin ligase HECT domain. We have shown previously that the C2 domain of Nedd4 is responsible for its Ca2+-dependent targeting to the plasma membrane, particularly the apical region of epithelial MDCK cells. To investigate this apical preference, we searched for Nedd4-C2 domain-interacting proteins that might be involved in targeting Nedd4 to the apical surface. Using immobilized Nedd4-C2 domain to trap interacting proteins from MDCK cell lysate, we isolated, in the presence of Ca2+, a ∼35–40-kD protein that we identified as annexin XIII using mass spectrometry. Annexin XIII has two known isoforms, a and b, that are apically localized, although XIIIa is also found in the basolateral compartment. In vitro binding and coprecipitation experiments showed that the Nedd4-C2 domain interacts with both annexin XIIIa and b in the presence of Ca2+, and the interaction is direct and optimal at 1 μM Ca2+. Immunofluorescence and immunogold electron microscopy revealed colocalization of Nedd4 and annexin XIIIb in apical carriers and at the apical plasma membrane. Moreover, we show that Nedd4 associates with raft lipid microdomains in a Ca2+-dependent manner, as determined by detergent extraction and floatation assays. These results suggest that the apical membrane localization of Nedd4 is mediated by an association of its C2 domain with the apically targeted annexin XIIIb.

ULTRASTRUCTURE AND IMMUNOCYTOCHEMISTRY OF THE PARS DISTALIS OF THE FEMALE RAT WHEN GRAFTED UNDER THE KIDNEY CAPSULE AND A PARALLEL STUDY OF THE PLASMA LEVELS OF PROLACTIN

1981 ◽  
Vol 89 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-NP ◽  
Author(s):  
L. I. AGUADO ◽  
G. S. ALVIAL ◽  
E. M. RODRÍGUEZ
Keyword(s):  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Secretory Activity ◽  
Ultrastructural Level ◽  
Lymphoid Cells ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Secretory Cells ◽  
Female Rat ◽  
Plasma Prolactin ◽  
Kidney Capsule ◽  
Hormone Content

Two hypophysial partes distales were grafted under the kidney capsule of intact female rats. The plasma prolactin levels 15, 45 and 90 days after the operation were determined. At the same postoperative intervals the grafted glands of some of the operated rats were processed for conventional light and electron microscopy and for the demonstration of prolactin, FSH and LH according to the unlabelled immunoperoxidase procedure. The ultrastructural characteristics of the transplanted secretory cells and the amount and distribution of the immunoreactive material within their cytoplasm were used to evaluate approximately the secretory activity of these cells. Although levels of prolactin in the three experimental groups were significantly higher than those in control rats, a decrease in prolactin level was detected in 71% of the samples taken 45 days after operation. At day 15 the graft was completely surrounded by lymphoid cells whereas at day 45 these cells had invaded the whole graft. In the group sampled at day 90 the graft was free of lymphoid cells. When traced immunocytochemically the three types of cells followed different patterns of evolution after transplantation. Most prolactotrophs were hypertrophied in all groups but, in addition, they underwent a process leading to hyperplasia some time between days 45 and 90 after operation. Syncytial formations which probably correspond to multinucleated prolactotrophs were present only in the group sampled at day 90. The number of LH and FSH cells had decreased in the group at day 45 and by day 90 the former remained scarce but immunoreactive FSH cells were no longer found. At the ultrastructural level clear signs of involution of gonadotrophs and degradation by macrophages were seen in the graft 45 days after operation. The relation between the morphology and hormone content of the graft and hormone content of the plasma is discussed, together with several questions raised by the results. Pituitary transplantation can be used as an experimental model only if the time-dependent changes described here are taken into account.

EFFECTS OF TESTOSTERONE, TESTOSTERONE METABOLITES AND ANTI-ANDROGENS ON THE FUNCTION OF THE MALE ACCESSORY GLANDS IN THE RABBIT AND RAT

1977 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROY JONES
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Differential Effect ◽  
Cyproterone Acetate ◽  
Testosterone Propionate ◽  
Secretory Activity ◽  
Accessory Gland ◽  
Male Accessory Glands ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Gland Function ◽  
Testosterone Metabolites

The androgenic potencies of testosterone, 5α-dihydrotestosterone, 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol and 5α-androstane-3β,17β-diol towards the prostate, glandula seminalis + glandula vesicularis, ampullae and epididymis were evaluated after administration to castrated rabbits. The influence of cyproterone acetate, stilboestrol and medrogestone on accessory gland function was also investigated in rabbits and rats. In the rabbit it was found that the minimum dose of testosterone propionate that would maintain the function of all accessory glands at normal levels was approximately 200 μg/ animal/day. Higher levels of testosterone propionate overstimulated the function of the prostate, glandula seminalis + glandula vesicularis and ampullae, but did not affect the epididymis. Whereas testosterone propionate and 5α-dihydrotestosterone propionate were essentially equipotent in their capacity to support growth and secretory activity and stimulated all the accessory glands, 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol dipropionate had a pronounced differential effect; it was considerably more potent than testosterone propionate in promoting secretion in the prostate, but was ineffective in maintaining the function of the epididymis. 5α-Androstane-3β,17β-diol dipropionate was the weakest androgen tested. Evidence also indicated that the potency of a steroid can depend on whether it is administered as its free or esterified form. Cyproterone acetate suppressed fructose secretion in the prostate of the rabbit but had no adverse effects on the function of the epididymis in either the rabbit or rat. Stilboestrol was the most potent anti-androgen tested and medrogestone the least effective.

Fibrin Clots for Electron Microscopy and Cytochemistry of Minute Biological Samples

1971 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 472-473
Author(s):  
Linda M. Sicko ◽  
Wm. James Arnold
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Animal Cell ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Fibrin Clot ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Fraction I ◽  
Chicken Blood ◽  
Fibrin Clots

The inclusion of loose cells and tissue fragments in protein or agar matrices is an accepted method to facilitate handling and processing for microscopy. Means of attaining the matrix have extended from the use of chicken blood plasma to highly refined and expensive nucleohistone gels, but more often, the difficult and often unsatisfactory suspension of materials in molten agar. Fibrin clots, introduced by Chatton and Lwoff, have the advantages of availability, speed and ease of application, predictability, homogeneity of dispersal, low expense, and applicability to the embedding of a wide variety of specimens in polymers for light and electron microscopy. The fibrin clot is high among the preferred methods of manipulating fragile protistes and yeasts and mycetozoans and fungi.Fibrin is compatible with most common buffer systems except ones containing cacodylate, as noted by Charret and Fauré-Fremiet. By manipulating fibrinogen content, clots may be prepared with densities ranging from an open, mucus-like network, just binding specimen particles together (200 mg per 100 ml), to hard agar-like gels capable of withstanding considerable rough handling (1.5 percent). With animal cell suspensions and blue-green algae we prefer a concentration of 0.7 percent bovine fibrinogen, Cohn fraction I (Nutritional Biochemicals, Cleveland) dissolved in distilled water with the salts suggested by Furtado: sodium citrate, 0.16 percent and sodium chloride, 0.85 percent. Bovine fibrinogen is least expensive but the amount of clotable material varies according to the manufacturer, thus norms may have to be adjusted when changing lots. We prefer to use freshly prepared solutions of fibrinogen. Thrombin (Parke-Davis, Detroit) is used in sterile distilled water or saline at a concentration of 100 N.I.H. units per milliliter. Thrombin may be stored frozen at least 2 months in 10x concentrated stock solution.

Fork head prevents apoptosis and promotes cell shape change during formation of the Drosophila salivary glands

Development ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 127 (19) ◽  
pp. 4217-4226 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.M. Myat ◽  
D.J. Andrew
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Salivary Glands ◽  
Cell Shape ◽  
Secretory Cell ◽  
Apoptotic Cell ◽  
Shape Change ◽  
Nuclear Migration ◽  
Secretory Cells ◽  
Apical Surface ◽  
Fork Head

The secretory tubes of the Drosophila salivary glands are formed by the regulated, sequential internalization of the primordia. Secretory cell invagination occurs by a change in cell shape that includes basal nuclear migration and apical membrane constriction. In embryos mutant for fork head (fkh), which encodes a transcription factor homologous to mammalian hepatocyte nuclear factor 3beta (HNF-3beta), the secretory primordia are not internalized and secretory tubes do not form. Here, we show that secretory cells of fkh mutant embryos undergo extensive apoptotic cell death following the elevated expression of the apoptotic activator genes, reaper and head involution defective. We rescue the secretory cell death in the fkh mutants and show that the rescued cells still do not invaginate. The rescued fkh secretory cells undergo basal nuclear migration in the same spatial and temporal pattern as in wild-type secretory cells, but do not constrict their apical surface membranes. Our findings suggest at least two roles for fkh in formation of the embryonic salivary glands: an early role in promoting survival of the secretory cells, and a later role in secretory cell invagination, specifically in the constriction of the apical surface membrane.

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