ISSN:
1420-9071
Keywords:
Sexual receptivity
;
sexual behavior
;
juvenile hormone
;
cockroach
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Many animals exhibit specific behaviors associated with sexual receptivity only when they are reproductively competent. In insects with gonadal maturation cycles, these behaviors usually coincide with ovarian matruation. In the cockroachBlattella germanica, juvenile hormone (JH), produced by the corpora allata (CA), regulates female reproductive physiology. Various experimental manipulations, including ablation of the CA, therapy with JH analogs, CA denervation, ovariectomy, and changing nutrient quality, coupled with time-lapse video recording, support the hypothesis that JH also controls female sexual receptivity. A re-examination of the role of the CA in the maturation of male sexual readiness shows that, while sexual behavior develops in the absence of JH in bothB. germanica andSupella longipalpa, JH accelerates the expression of sexual readiness.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01921755
Permalink