Although female sperm storage is an essential component of reproduction in insects, the molecular mechanisms of sperm storage are virtually unknown. In Drosophila melanogaster a male accessory gland protein, Acp36DE, was previously shown to be essential for normal female sperm storage. Previous research has also shown that the protein binds to sperm within the female reproductive tract. To understand how Acp36DE mediates sperm storage, we examined when it acts by comparing initial sperm entry into storage as well as the number of sperm in storage over time in the presence and absence of Acp36DE. Acp36DE affects the rate of sperm accumulation into storage once storage has begun, but not the initial entry or the depletion of sperm from storage. To understand where Acp36DE might function, we tested for the presence of Acp36DE in the female storage organs. Acp36DE enters the sperm storage organs even when males do not transfer sperm. These data are consistent with a model in which Acp36DE acts as a scaffold or guiding factor to facilitate the efficient accumulation of sperm within the female storage organs.
Species 1: Diptera Drosophilidae Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly)
Keywords: reproduction, male accessory gland protein
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