Multiple neuropeptides produced by sex-specific neurons control activity of the male accessory glands and gonoducts in the silkworm Bombyx mori

The male accessory glands (AG) and gonoducts of moths develop during metamorphosis and are essential for successful fertilization of females. We found that these reproductive organs are innervated by a sex-specific cluster of peptidergic neurons in the posterior 9 th neuromere of the terminal abdomi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Scientific reports 2019-02, Vol.9 (1), p.2253-2253, Article 2253
Main Authors: Čižmár, Daniel, Roller, Ladislav, Pillerová, Miriam, Sláma, Karel, Žitňan, Dušan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
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Accessory gland
Allatotropin
Bioassays
Bombyx mori
Calcitonin
Contraction
Copulation
Fertilization
Humanities and Social Sciences
Hybridization
Immunohistochemistry
Metamorphosis
multidisciplinary
Neurons
Neuropeptides
Peptides
Polymerase chain reaction
Reproductive organs
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Seminal fluid
Seminal vesicle
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Summary:The male accessory glands (AG) and gonoducts of moths develop during metamorphosis and are essential for successful fertilization of females. We found that these reproductive organs are innervated by a sex-specific cluster of peptidergic neurons in the posterior 9 th neuromere of the terminal abdominal ganglion (TAG). This cluster of ~20 neurons differentiate during metamorphosis to innervate the accessory glands and sperm ducts. Using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization (ISH) we showed that these neurons express four neuropeptide precursors encoding calcitonin-like diuretic hormone (CT-DH), allatotropin (AT) and AT-like peptides (ATLI-III), allatostatin C (AST-C), and myoinhibitory peptides (MIPs). We used contraction bioassay in vitro to determine roles of these neuropeptides in the gonoduct and accessory gland activity. Spontaneous contractions of the seminal vesicle and AG were stimulated in a dose depended manner by CT-DH and AT, whereas AST-C and MIP elicited dose dependent inhibition. Using quantitative RT-PCR we confirmed expression of receptors for these neuropeptides in organs innervated by the male specific cluster of neurons. Our results suggest a role of these neuropeptides in regulation of seminal fluid movements during copulation.
ISSN:2045-2322
2045-2322
DOI:10.1038/s41598-019-38761-x