In Male Cockroaches, Sperms Are Stored in Which Part of the Reproductive System?
WouterIn male cockroaches, sperms are stored in a part of the reproductive system called the seminal vesicle. These vesicles contain thirty to forty tiny spermatozoa. These sperms are then discharged during copulation.
The male cockroach has two testes, one in each dorsal lateral segment. Each testis contains 30 to 40 small, white transparent follicles. The testis is full of sperms in young cockroaches, but becomes non-functional as it ages. A portion of each testis, called varsa deferentia, runs downwards to the ejaculatory duct, which is one muscular duct that opens into the male genital pouch.
The male cockroach has a long, narrow abdomen. This makes it easy to find a mate. The roach has a large reproductive system, consisting of a gonopore and gonapophysis. It also has a vas deferens, seminal vesicle, accessory glands, and testes. It can reproduce up to six times in a lifetime, which is why they are popular for food and laboratory studies.
The ejaculatory duct is located near the vas deferens, which is surrounded by the mushroom gland. The utriculi major, which are long peripheral tubules filled with sperms, are present near the male gonopore. The external genitalia are asymmetrical and contain three phylloxerae in the middle dorsal position. The right phylloxerae has two large teeth and two membranoids with saw-toothed edges.
