The aim of this study was to elucidate the expression and regulation of the c-kit protein in spermatogenesis of locusts. Immunohistochemistry and biological statistics were used to investigate the expression of the c-kit protein in four representative phases of spermatogenesis of three dominant species of locusts of Arcypteridae (Orthoptera: Acridoidea), namely, Omocestus viridulus (Linnaeus), Euchorthippus unicolor (Ikonn.), and Euchorthippus vittatus Zheng, and so on, in Siping area of Jilin Province, China. The results revealed the following: (1) There was weak positive expression of the c-kit protein in spermatogonia and the positive granules were thinner; (2) there was a strong positive expression of the c-kit protein in primary spermatocyte and the positive granules became the largest than in all developmental stages; (3) the c-kit protein positive expression became stronger in secondary spermatocyte, while the positive granules became thinner; (4) there was strong positive expression of the c-kit protein and the positive granules were thinner in mature sperm, which were distributed on its head and tail; (5) there were strong positive protein granules massing at the end of spermary; (6) the positive intensity of the c-kit protein in spermatogenesis was significantly different among different species of locusts. The data suggested that the c-kit protein may play a crucial role in spermatogenesis as well as maintain the physiological action of sperms and fertilization, regulate the developmental speed of spermatogenesis, and/or maintain species isolation, etc.
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