Histological and cytological studies on the fat body of the cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea during the first reproductive cycle

Summary The central fat body of the ovoviviparous cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea was studied during the first reproductive cycle of the female by means of light microscopy, autoradiography and electron microscopy. Comparative studies in larval stages were also undertaken. The fat body of Nauphoeta contains a large amount of lipid droplets and the remaining cytoplasm is very scarce. The cytological cyclicity of the fat body is consistent with the known biochemical rhythms of vitellogenin production. The proteosynthetic apparatus appears about 3 days after imaginal ecdysis, along with vitellogenin. The ribosomal endoplasmic reticulum (RER) shows a tremendous increase by the 7th day of the first cycle. The most active period of vitellogenin production lasts from day 7 to day 12. The proteosynthetic apparatus then returns to an inactive stage and disappears. This inactive condition lasts to the end of the gestation period. The autoradiographic results are consistent with the cytological features.Work carried out under the scientific direction of Prof. M. Lüscher of the University of Bern and supported in part by a grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation (No 3. 633.71).