A CYTOLOGICAL AND CYTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF THE MALE ACCESSORY REPRODUCTIVE GLANDS IN THE JAPANESE BEETLE, POPILLIA JAPONICA NEWMAN

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Abstract
The paired, elongate, tubular accessory reproductive glands have been shown to consist of 3 distinct regions characterized by regional morphological and cytological differences at successive levels. An apical cuboidal epithelium gives way to a region of tall columnar apocrine secretory cells, which are replaced at the base of the gland by a flattened, apparently non-secretory epithelium. Intense cytoplasmic basophilia, abolished by ribonuclease, is characteristic of cells at all levels. The Golgi element of the secretory cells is in the form of vacuolated spherules and is demonstrable by the use of Sudan black, particularly after postchromation. The Golgi element contains phospholipin. The secretion-product of the gland consists of a groundmass of a mucus-like protein-polysaccharide compound, bearing scattered large globules of mucus and many smaller droplets of phospholipin and possibly other lipoidal substances. The mucus-like ground substance and the lipoid components are produced in the upper levels of the gland; the mucus globules originate in the tall apocrine cells in the middle region; the lower levels apparently function chiefly as an expanded reservoir for the accumulation and retention of the finished secretion product. This product, from its apparent composition, may be considered as admirably adapted to its functions of lubrication, sperm-suspension, and spermatophore formation.