Differential Apyrene Sperm Activation Elicited by Regions of Male Reproductive System of Spodoptera litura (F.)

Abstract

In this study, the sperm activation potential of various regions of male reproductive system of Spodoptera litura (F.) has been evaluated by in-vitro bioassay. This has been done using their respective secretions as sperm activator for the sperm derived from the duplex of 2-3 days old virgin male moths. The results revealed that the prostatic part elicited a significantly pronounced sperm activity profile (in terms of proportion of active sperm and their activity intensity), as compared to the subregions of the prostatic part. The sperm activity profile by the prostatic part secretions was further observed to be reinforced by the addition of secretions of accessary glands. The sperm activity peak plateau reached around 30-90 min during the sperm activation bioassay. Further studies are in progress towards identification and characterization of potential biomolecule(s) responsible for sperm activity in the secretions of male prostatic part of the ejaculatory duct. This study has pragmatic application in exploring the anti-reproductive potential of various biorationals and optimization of radiogenetic IPM methods that are based on sperm dynamics and mating competitiveness.