The Special Expression and Comparison of c-kit Protein in Spermatogenesis of Three Species of Arcypteridae Locusts

【Objective and Method】In order to elucidate the expression and regulation of c-kit protein in spermatogenesis of locust, immunohistochemistry and biological statistics were used to investigate the expression of c-kit protein in four representative spermatogenesis phases of three dominant Arcypteridae locust species, which are Omocestus viridulus (Linnaeus), Euchorthippus unicolor (Ikonn.) and Euchorthippus vittatus Zheng , all in the Siping area of Jilin Province, China.【Result】The results were as follows: (1) there were weak positive expressions of c-kit protein in spermatogonia and positive granule was thinner; (2) there were strong positive expressions of c-kit protein in primary spermatocyte and positive granules became biggest than all developmental stages; (3) c-kit protein positive expression became stronger in secondary spermatocyte, while positive granules became thinner; (4) there were strong positive expressions of c-kit protein and thinner positive granules in mature sperm, which were distributed on the head and tail; (5) there were strong positive protein granules massing at the end of spermary; (6) the positive intensity of c-kit protein in spermatogenesis displayed significant differences among different species of locusts. 【Conclusion】The data suggested that c-kit protein might play a crucial role in spermatogenesis as well as maintain the physiological action of sperm and fertilization, and it may regulate the developmental speed of spermatogenesis and/or maintain species isolation etc.