[Secretion and organization of the stratified wall of spermatophore in some copepods: ultrastructure and cytochemistry].

The ultrastructure of the wall of the spermatophore of some copepods is studied during its elaboration along the male genital tract. The secretion of this material appears in the form of a loose fibrillar network, sandwiched between a granular layer and a set of thin dense plates. At the level of segment III this layer, which has considerably thickened compared with segment II, shows a more compact aspect. Finally in the spermatophore its organization is similar to that of external cuticles. The typical architecture, the elaboration process as well as the ultrastructural cytochemical characteristics of this wall lead us to discuss the analogies with the peripheral cuticle.