Ultrastructural changes in the adult male accessory reproductive glands of Chrysocoris purpureus (WESTW.) (hemiptera:pentatomidae) IN relation to mating

Electron microscopic studies on the adult male accessory reproductive glands of Chrysocoris purpureus insects have revealed presence of a single layer of columnar epithelium, characterized by the multi shaped endoplasmic reticulum, polymorphic golgi bodies and vesicles. The male accessory reproductive gland before mating indicates its apocrine mode of secretion and its relative quantity of secretion appears to be higher than that of the glands after mating. A significance changes in the structure of the glands has been observed and it indicates the presence of numerous rough endoplasmic reticulum with cisternae which are considerably distended and induce fine granular products. The lumen of this gland reveals the presence of granular secretary materials identical to the rough endoplasmic inclusions and electron dense substance which are identical to golgi vesicles. The gland, further exhibits the mitochondria with numerous microvilli, swollen nucleus and secretary vesicles with multi vesicular bodies. The gland of the insects after mating reveals the occurrence of the degenerative epithelium, shrunken nucleus and large number of smooth endoplasmic reticulum. It shows the absence of multi vesicular bodies indicating its less secretary activity. Based on the observations, it may be inferred that this gland involves itself in apocrine mode of secretion during reproductive cycle and this secretion seems to facilitates the transport of spermatozoa into female through seminal fluid and may contribute rich materials for the maturity and physiological activity of spermatozoa.