Gené's Organ of <i>Amblyomma sculptum</i> (Acari: Ixodidae): Morphological Aspects on the First Day of Oviposition and Participation in the Lipid Composition of the Egg Wax

The Gené's organ (GO) secretes a waxy substance on eggs that reduces water loss and has antimicrobial properties. The current study evaluated morphological and histochemical aspects of GO in Amblyomma sculptum on the 1st day of oviposition (DOV), as well as the neutral lipids found in the organ and wax. The morphological results showed that the glandular cells of the GO synthesize proteins. On the other hand, punctually, necrotic glandular cells and mitochondria were noted, with initial signs of degeneration, confirming the beginning of senescence of these cells. The analysis of the neutral lipids showed that the cranial and caudal glands have identical profiles, thus indicating that the individualization between them is simply anatomical. Still, the lipids found in the cranial and caudal glands were the same found in the wax showing that OG has an important function in the final synthesis of egg wax.