(A) 18 h after the injection of "human chorionic gonadotropin" (hCG). At this time, ovulation has already occurred. 0, 9, 14, and 18 h after the injection of hCG, no secretion occurs from the epithelial cells of the ventral glands into the lumina.

(B) 32 h after the injection of hCG. Colloidal secretions are evident in the lumina of many ventral glands, and in a few glands, several globules exist in the central region of these colloids. The secretions have leaked out partially in the cloacal chamber (arrow). At this time, the formation of egg sacs has not yet been completed. By 50 h when egg sac formation is completed, epithelial secretion of the glands is near completion.

In females, the secretions stored in the lumina of the ventral glands emanate from these lumina to a pair of egg sacs when deposited through the cloaca, and play a role in sexual behavior as a mating pheromone. Subcutaneous swelling of the cloacal region is limited in these females, unlike breeding males of this species.