Secretions from the Spermathecae of Drosophila Melanogaster Regulate Reproduction

In preparation for the acquisition of reproductive functionality, the female reproductive tract (RT) undergoes important physiological changes. In Drosophila melanogaster female RT, the major secretory centers are compartmentalized into two pairs of glands, the spermathecae and the accessory glands. The spermathecae and accessory gland secretory cells provide much of the milieu for the environment where reproductive events occur and the embryo will start its development. Simultaneous disruption of spermatheca and accessory gland development resulted in female sterility. Genetic ablation of the spermathecal secretory cells (SSC) in adulthood impairs sperm storage and egg laying.

To better understand how the spermathecae influence female reproductive success, we used Drosophila genetics to study the extracellular vesicles (EVs) involved in intercellular communication within the female RT. We focused on the SSC and examined whether the spermathecal EVs are involved in regulating female fertility. Our results indicate that EVs are essential for achieving high fertility and are used by the SSC as intercellular communication shuttles to modulate processes in the female RT.