An early role for the Drosophila melanogaster male seminal protein Acp36DE in female sperm storage

Female sperm storage is an essential component of reproduction in many animals. In insects, female sperm storage affects fecundity, sperm competition/preference and receptivity to re-mating. Female sperm storage consists of several stages, including sperm entry into the sperm storage organs (SSOs), maintenance within the SSOs and exit from the SSOs. The Drosophila melanogaster male seminal protein Acp36DE is essential for female sperm storage. Acp36DE associates with sperm and localizes to specific regions of the female reproductive tract, including the SSOs. We determined the stage of sperm storage at which Acp36DE acts by comparing the timing of initial sperm entry into storage as well as the rates of sperm accumulation and release from the SSOs in the presence or absence of Acp36DE. Acp36DE accelerates sperm accumulation into storage but does not mediate the entry of the first sperm into storage. This finding also demonstrates that the initial stage of sperm storage consists of multiple steps. Acp36DE enters the SSOs before sperm, and its residence within the SSOs does not require sperm. We propose that once sperm storage has initiated, Acp36DE acts as a guidance factor helping subsequent sperm move into storage, a corral concentrating sperm around the SSO entrances and/or a trigger for responses within the female that accelerate storage of sperm.