Extraglandular synthesis of accessory reproductive gland components in male Melanoplus sanguinipes

Abstract

The accessory reproductive glands (ARG) of the male migratory grasshopper, Melanoplus sanguinipes, are able to accumulate injected labelled ARG protein from the haemolymph. Accumulation is slight in the ARG of 2-day-old virgins, or 7-day-old allatectomized (CA −) insects. The ARG of 7-day-old virgins, or 7-day-old CA − insects treated with synthetic juvenile hormone, accumulate about 1.5 times more label than those of 2-day-old insects in a 24-hr period. The ARG of recently mated males accumulate almost four times more label than those of 2-day-old controls. Immunoprecipitation studies indicate that about one fifth of the labelled protein is accumulated unchanged. The fat body and haemolymph contain proteins which are precipitable by antiserum to whole ARG homogenate. The concentration of these proteins in the fat body increases after removal of the ARG, or after copulation. It is concluded that the fat body synthesizes certain proteins which are accumulated by the ARG. Both the synthesis and the accumulation of these proteins are regulated by the corpora allata.