Function And Transcriptome Analysis Of Male Accessory Gland Factors In Spodoptera Litura

Previous studies in Drosophila and the cotton bollworm moth Helicoverpa zea have demonstrated that male accessory gland (MAG) produced peptides, such as sex peptide, pheromonostatic peptide and tachykinin-like peptide, can adjust the female reproductive behavior. However, the regulation mechanism of these peptides and whether such molecules also exist in other insects are still unclear.Here, we carried out a series of experiments to determine the functions of MAG secretions on modulating female post-mating behavior in the moth Spodoptera litura. Results showed that females injected with MAG secretions called and mated significantly less than controls, which were independent of mechanical stimulation during mating and the presence of sperm.This study also demonstrated that MAG secretions not only triggered oviposition but also promoted egg development, which also were not dependent on mechanical stimulation during mating and the presence of sperm.MAG secretions also showed negative effect on female longevity, which may be because MAG secretions stimulate females to allocate more resources to egg development and oviposition, leaving fewer resources for survival.In order to further understand the molecular information of the above MAG-related regulation on female post-mating reproductive behaviour, we further performed a comparative transcriptome analysis between MAG and other body tissue.We sequenced the female whole body tissue, male body tissue (removed the accessory gland tissue) and accessory gland tissue. By analyzing differentially expressed genes, we found that there are258proteins maybe relative to the reproductive process.These proteins exist only in the accessory gland tissue, they are relative to information identification, signal transmission, courtship, mating, and egg development, ovulation, sleep regulation and regulation of lifespan.This study not only will conducive to understand the molecular mechanism of insect reproduction and the differential evolution of gene function between the sexes, but also will provide ideas and target genes for pest control.