Circadian system controlling release of sperm in the insect testes
1989
Giebultowicz, J.M. | Riemann, J.G. | Raina, A.K. | Ridgway, R.L.
Release of mature sperm from the testis into seminal ducts of the gypsy moth exhibits a circadian rhythm. The rhythm of sperm release was shown to persist in vitro, in isolated complexes of testis and seminal ducts cultured in light-dark cycles or in constant darkness. The phase of the rhythm was also reset in vitro by exposure to shifted light-dark cycles. Therefore, the testis-seminal ducts complex from the gypsy moth is photosensitive and contains a circadian pacemaker, which controls the rhythm of sperm moverment. This finding extends the range of structures in multicellular organisms that are unknown to contain circadian oscillators and provides a new model system in which circadian mechanisms may be studied.
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