Summary
When the spermathecal glands are removed from young unmated queens and they are then naturally mated or artificially inseminated, only a small number of spermatozoa reach the spermatheca. Turgor of the spermatheca is at the same time reduced. Removal of one branch of the gland has very little effect.
When intact queens are inseminated with damaged spermatozoa, the spermatheca remains almost empty. Paralysis of the skeletal muscles in the queens abdomen caused by Microbracon poison results in a sharp reduction of sperm entering the spermatheca. Under such conditions, the sperm is not removed from the oviducts.
From these experiments it is concluded, that transfer of spermatozoa out of the oviducts into the spermatheca is a complex process in which the muscles of the queen, as well as the fluid of the spermatheca and it's glands, and the individual movements of the spermatozoa take part.