Abstract: In order to elucidate the 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 phases of spermatogenesis of three dominant species of locusts of Arcypteridae (Orthoptera:Acridoidea) which are Omocestus viridulus (Linnaeus), Euchorthippus unicolor (Ikonn.) and Euchorthippus vittatus Zheng and so on in Siping area of Jilin province,China. The results were as follows: (1)there were weak positive expression of c-kit protein in spermatogonia and positive granule was thinner;(2)there were a strong positive expression of c-kit protein in primary spermatocyte and positive granule became biggest than all developmental stages;(3)c-kit protein positive expression became stronger in secondary spermatocyte while positive granule became thinner;(4)there were strong positive expression of c-kit and thinner positive granule in mature sperm, which distributed on head and tail;(5)there were strong c-kit positive protein granule massing at the end of spermary;(6) the intensity of c-kit protein positive expression of three species of locusts in spermatogenesis were compared and analyzed. Results showed that there were significant differences among different kinds of locusts. The data suggested that c-kit might play a crucial role in spermatogenesis as well as keep the physiological action of sperms and fertilization, and even regulate developmental speed in spermatogenesis and maintain species isolation etc.

Key words: locust, spermatogenesis, c-kit protein, special expression, significant difference