Structure and function of seminal vesicles of Orthoptera Tettigonioidea

The epithelium of seminal vesicles of seven species of Orthoptera Tettigonioidea was examined. Results revealed an epithelium that is always monolayered and devoid of cuticular intima, thus reflecting its mesodermic origin. In some species epithelial secretory activity is intense and seems to be effected via both apocrine and merocrine mechanisms. A peculiar characteristic observed in most of the species examined consists in the presence of spermiophagic activity, never previously recorded in insect seminal vesicles which have usually been attributed the function of synthesizing the substances that maintain sperm viable during their storage therein. The probable role of this spermiophagic activity in relation to the reproductive biology of Orthoptera Tettigonioidea is discussed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.