SECRETION IN THE UPPER VAS-DEFERENS OF THE GYPSY-MOTH CORRELATED WITH THE CIRCADIAN-RHYTHM OF SPERM RELEASE FROM THE TESTES

A cytological study of the upper vas deferens of the gypsy moth demonstrated cyclical secretory activity by the epithelium of the anterior segment in correlation with the circadian rhythm of sperm release from the testes. One peak of secretory activity coincided with movement of sperm out of the testes. However, periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining indicated that the carbohydrate content of the secretory material was lowest at the time the sperm moved from the testes and highest toward the time when the sperm mass moves out of the upper vasa deferentia to the seminal vesicles. Periodic secretion also continued for at least one day in organ cultures of vasa deferentia from which the testes had been removed. This suggested that the secretory rhythm of the vas deferens was independent of the sperm release rhythm though correlated with it. The secretory material was less varied in cultured specimens than in intact specimens. Secretion in the posterior segment of the upper vas deferens followed the same pattern in culture as the cells in the anterior segment.