The spermathecal epithelium of the queen bee (Apis mellifera): morphology, age-dependent changes and cell contacts

Abstract

The spermatheca of the honey bee queen is covered by a single-layered, uniform, polarised epithelium. The apical cell surface is greatly enlarged by protrusions and plasma membrane infoldings, the basal cell surface by numerous interdigitating, long, small processes. Cytoplasmic organelles are chiefly represented by mitochondria. Numerous microtubuli extend throughout the cytoplasm. Golgi and endoplasmic profiles are rare. The cells are subject to senile degeneration: with increasing age, a variety of cytoplasmic inclusions appear, among which are myelinated membranes, dense bodies and dense filamentous aggregates. The spermathecal epithelium does not seem to be involved in exocrine secretion related to nutrition of the long-term stored spermatozoa. The ultra-structure points, however, to ion transport functions and to an engagement in the maintenance of an adequate physicochemical environment ensuring the viability of the spermatozoa. Cellular junctions are represented by luminal zonulae adherentes, focal cell-cell adhering junctions and hemiadhering junctions along the basal plasmalemma. Desmosomal contacts and cytoskeletal intermediate filaments are missing. Along the lateral plasmalemma, gap junctions and septate junctions are found.