Evidence of a neural loop involved in controlling spermathecal contractions in Locusta migratoria

The control of spermathecal contractions in Locusta migratoria via a neural loop was demonstrated using mechanical stimulation and electrophysiological recordings. Extracellular electrophysiological recordings from the receptaculum seminis nerve (N2B2), which innervates the spermathecal sac, were conducted during mechanical stimulation of the genital chamber sensory cells. Activation of the genital chamber sensory cells, using a glass probe approximating the shape and size of an egg, was found to increase the action potential frequency and initiate bursts of action potentials if a tonic frequency of action potentials was present prior to stimulation. If the motor pattern initially consisted of bursts of action potentials, then mechanical stimulation of the genital chamber sensory cells resulted in an increase in firing frequency, in most preparations, with the bursting remaining. Removal of the probe from the genital chamber always returned the motor activity to that noted prior to sensory cell stimulation. Simultaneous electrophysiological recordings from both the left and right receptaculum seminis nerves (N2B2) revealed that the bursts of action potentials were coordinated, although individual action potentials were not coupled one to one. Activation of the genital chamber sensory cells also resulted in increases in spermathecal contraction frequency, an effect which was coordinated with the changes in motor activity. It is proposed that an egg in the genital chamber activates the sensory cells resulting in increases in spermathecal contraction frequency and the subsequent release of spermatozoa onto the micropyle of the egg for fertilization. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.