ABSTRACT
Males of insects and ticks influenced the physiology of reproduction of mated females with the secretes of accessory sexual glands (aD) much more than was supposed in the past. The monocoitic behaviour of the females of some species of insects is caused by various secretions (e.g. Matrone in mosquitoes, monogamic factors in the house fly, sexpeptides in Drosophila). Furthermore the preoviposition period is shortened by these secretions whereas the productivity is increased. The food uptake and the autogeny were influenced as well. Besides this other patterns of behaviour changed (e. g. flight activity). Because of their simple structure, the accessory glands are suitable for biochemical investigations. However, in most cases the physiological functions are unknown.--The present knowledge on the functions of the accessory glands is reviewed with special regard to the modes of action of secretions of the accessory glands.
