0023-6152

AA00697606

24095

査読無

0023-6152

AA00697606

Structural changes in the female genital system of IIaemaphysalislongicornis during feeding, copulation and oviposition were observed in the light microscope. The genital system consists of the vestibular and cervical vagina, tubular accessory glands, connecting tube, receptaculum seminis, oviduct and ovary. As in Hyalomma, epithelial cells lining the vestibular cuticle become the lobular accessory glands during feeding, secretions from which coat the surface of passing eggs and may function as a waterproofing agent. However, it is clear from these observations that dramatic feeding-related changes occur also in the other organs constituting the system. The cervical vagina and connecting tube both have a similar structure, their developed muscles being involved in transfer of male germ cells and/or eggs. Secretions from the feeding-stimulated tubular accessory glands may be a coating agent applied to the egg surface or act as a lubricant for egg passage. Epithelial cells of the receptaculum seminis are probably involved in destruction of the inserted endospermat,ophore. In the fed females, just, after copulation the oviducal epithelium produces a secretion, which also may exert some influence upon the passing spermatozoa and eggs. Muscles surrounding the oviduct,s cause peristalt,ic contract.ions during the passage of spermatozoa and eggs. In the developed ovary, the oocyte prot,rudes into the haemocoel, and is attached to special funicle cells which arise from ovarian epithelium. Numerous spermatozoa present in the ovarian lumen during oviposition imply that fertilization occurs in the ovary.