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Science 8 September 1989:
Vol. 245. no. 4922, pp. 1098 - 1100
DOI: 10.1126/science.245.4922.1098
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Articles

Circadian System Controlling Release of Sperm in the Insect Testes

J. M. GIEBULTOWICZ 1, J. G. RIEMANN 2, A. K. RAINA 3, and R. L. RIDGWAY 3

1 University of Maryland, Department of Zoology, College Park, MD 20742, and Insect Chemical Ecology Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Beltsville, MD 20705.
2 Insect Biochemistry Section, Bioscience Research Laboratory, ARS, USDA, Fargo, ND 58101.
3 Insect Chemical Ecology Laboratory, ARS, USDA, Beltsville, MD 20705.

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 movement. This finding extends the range of structures in multicellular organisms that are known to contain circadian oscillators and provides a new model system in which circadian mechanisms may be studied.

Submitted on February 9, 1989
Accepted on July 19, 1989


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