Biochemical Studies on the Accessory Reproductive Gland Secretions of the Male Desert Locust , Schistocera gragaria Forskal

Abstract

The two initial objectives of this research project were (1) to obtain a detailed chemical description of secretions from the accessory reproductive glands CARGs) of the male desert locust, . Schistocerca gregaria Forskal, and (.2 ) to identify the chemical nature of the spermatophore and seminal fluids in order to obtain a better understanding of the roles of individ~al ARG secretions in their formation. The secretions of the 16 pairs of ARGs were subjected to disc gel electrophoresis and the gels were stained far proteins, glycoproteins and lipoproteins. Although a number of common protein bands were found in the secretions of some glands, the electrophoresed secretions of each gland showed distinct multiple protein and in same cases, multiple glycoprotein patterns. The number of protein fractions ranged from 10 in the seminal vesicle secretions to 26 in those from the homogenous glands. On the basis of histochemical and ultrastructural studies, Odhiambo (1969a, 1969b} indicated that the secretions of glands 3 and 5 were similar and were the only secretions containing lipoproteins. In this study, however, the electrophoresed secretions of these two glands showed distinct protein and glycoprotein patterns and lipoproteins could not be detected with Sudan black B staining. (Continue from the attached PDF)