ISSN:
0739-4462
Keywords:
insect molt regulation
;
prothoracic gland innervation
;
nervous regulation of molt
;
ecdysteroid release
;
Chemistry
;
Food Science, Agricultural, Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Under in vitro conditions the prothoracic gland nerve of the last larval instar of Periplaneta americana shows the same efferent nervous activity as under in situ conditions-ie, low activity at the 9th day and high activity at the 20th day of the molting interval. Isolation of the prothoracic ganglion from the subesophageal ganglion provokes an increase in this nerve activity, suggesting an inhibitory effect of the subesophageal ganglion on prothoracic gland nerve activity in vivo. Only in 20-day-old larvae does electrical stimulation of isolated prothoracic glands in vitro via the gland nerve result in a slightly increased release of ecdysteroids from the gland. This effect could not be influenced by different lengths of stimulation periods. Denervation of the prothoracic gland by transection of the gland nerve on the 13th day of the molting interval results in a complete abolition of the first peak of ecdysteroid production in the gland but has no influence on the occurrence and the amount of the main ecdysteroid peak just before the molt. The results suggest the participation of nervous activity in special periods of prothoracic gland regulation in the cockroach.
Additional Material:
6 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/arch.940020308
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