title: Fine structure of the female reproductive system in a viviparous insect, Glossina morsitans morsitans (Diptera, Glossinidae).
abstract: The female reproductive system of the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans morsitans is analysed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The study focuses in particular on the choriothete, a peculiar uterine structure involved in the viviparous mode of reproduction of Glossina morsitans morsitans. Under light microscopy, the choriothete appears formed by numerous tongue-like folds projecting towards the uterine lumen and lined by a thin cuticle. SEM analysis highlights for the first time a distinctive new feature that is not visible by traditional histological methods. That is a cuticular covering of the choriothete, which shows numerous thorns in the form of crest-like structures arranged in nearly parallel lines. The role of the choriothete in pregnancy and in larval nourishment is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Division of Reproductive Physiology and Endocrinology, University of Siena, Via A. Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pellegrini
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bigliardi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bechi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Paulesu
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Lehane
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Avanzati
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007814:Larva / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014370:Tsetse Flies / Q000166:cytology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D052286:Viviparity, Nonmammalian / Q000502:physiology*