【目的】 日本弓背蚁Camponotus japonicus Mayr雄蚁的上颚腺较雌性品级发达。本研究通过比较不同年龄雄蚁上颚腺的超微结构及分泌物挥发性成分变化规律，揭示上颚腺在雄蚁生命活动中的潜在功能。【方法】 利用光学显微镜、扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜观察雄蚁上颚腺的整体形态、表面超微结构以及分泌细胞内部特征；用萃取法采集上颚腺的分泌物，并利用气相色谱-质谱（GC-MS）技术分析其分泌物挥发性化学成分。【结果】 （1）雄蚁上颚腺由一簇分泌单元和一个储存囊组成，每个分泌单元中又包含1个分泌细胞和1个导管细胞，羽化第1个月时上颚腺长度、储存囊长度、分泌细胞直径最大，分泌细胞湿润饱满光滑，随着年龄增长这些指标逐渐降低，至婚飞时分泌细胞皱缩干瘪，失去活力。（2）分泌细胞的细胞质中分布有丰富的线粒体、内质网、高尔基体、脂滴、分泌物颗粒和发达的末端结构；羽化第1-4月时，分泌颗粒密度较低、分泌囊泡逐渐丰富，线粒体围绕细胞核和微绒毛周围；到羽化第8-9月时，线粒体分散于细胞核、微绒毛及分泌颗粒间，分泌颗粒密度增加，分泌囊泡消失，细胞开始解体。（3）GC-MS分析结果显示，雄蚁在羽化第3个月时上颚腺分泌物总峰面积最小，在羽化第9个月时总峰面积最大；上颚腺分泌物中，共鉴定出23种挥发性化学成分，其中2-羟基-6-甲基苯甲酸甲酯、邻氨基苯甲酸甲酯和蜂蜜曲菌素为各个时期中共有且含量最高的物质，其相对含量在不同时期存在差异。【结论】 日本弓背蚁雄蚁上颚腺在羽化初期分泌活动水平最高，随着年龄增长逐渐衰退，分泌物化学成分的功能还有待于进一步的验证。

[Objectives]  To investigate the potential function of the mandibular gland of male Camponotus japonicus Mayr, which have the most developed mandibular glands among all castes of this species. [Methods]  The morphology, surface ultrastructure and internal characteristics of secretory cells of the mandibular glands of male ants at different ages were observed using a light microscope (LM), a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Volatile mandibular gland secretions were extracted with n-hexane and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). [Results]  (1) The mandibular glands of males consist of a cluster of secretory cells and a reservoir. Each cluster of secretory cells contains a secretory cell and a conducting cell. The total length of the mandibular gland, reservoir length and the diameter of secretory cells, were largest in the 1st month after eclosion. Secretory cells were initially moist, full and smooth, but became progressively less so as males aged. (2) The cytoplasm of secretory cells contains a lot of organelles, such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus,  lipid droplets, other granular secretions and developed end apparatus. From the 1st to 4th month after eclosion, secretory cells have a low density of secretory granules, secretory vesicles gradually become more abundant and mitochondria surround the nucleus and microvilli. From the 8th to 9th month after eclosion, mitochondria become scattered among the nucleus, microvilli and secretory granules, the density of secretory granules increases, secretory vesicles disappear, and the cells began to disintegrate. (3) GC-MS analysis indicates that the least quantity of secretions was emitted during the 3rd month after eclosion and the most during the 9th month. A total of 23 volatile chemical components were identified, of which 2-hydroxy-6-methylbenzoate, Methyl anthranilate and (-)-Mellein were the most common in each period. The relative amounts of these three chemicals varied with age. [Conclusion]  The secretory activity of the mandibular gland of male C. japonicus is highest in the initial stage of emergence, and gradually decreases with age. Determining the biological function of the chemicals secreted requires further investigation.