Vitellogenesis and oocyte development in azadirachtin-induced fifth-instar overage nymphs of Locusta migratoria (L.)

Injection of azadirachtin into females of Locusta migratoria at the beginning of the last nymphal instar prevented molting to the adult stage, and many of these locusts survived for long periods as overage fifth-instar nymphs. Overage female nymphs synthesized vitellogenin; maximum vitellogenin content in their hemolymph was 6–7 times higher than that found in normal adult females. The overage female nymphs developed vitellogenic oocytes, but development was retarded to some extent: although vitellogenin did accumulate in the proximal oocytes, their maximum average length was only about 2.8 mm (compared to 6.2 mm in normal adult females) and extensive oocyte resorption was observed. Thus, attainment of adult competence of the organs and processes involved in female reproduction is independent to a considerable extent from the process of overt adult morphogenesis.     

Age-specific energetics of reproduction in Nucula turgida (Leckenby and Marshall) a bivalve with lecithotrophic larval development

Summary

Nucula turgida is a protobranch bivalve of the shallow sublittoral which produces, for a bivalve, unusually large eggs with a high lipid content to sustain the lecithotrophic development of the larvae. Males and females have similar reproductive investments, and the most noticeable feature of their output is the proportional increase in reproductive output as the animals age. Reproduction, as a proportion of the assimilation (Rep/C), was around 0.17 at population level but ranged from 0.055 in the 3 + year class to 0.54 in the 7 + year class. Similarly, C(=1 ? [(A ? G/R]) where A is assimilation, G gonad production and R is respiration, which appeared to be almost perfectly balanced at population level (C= ?0.05) in fact varied from very conservative (C= ?1.63) at 3 + to very “reckless” at 7+ (C=0.57). Using age-specific data, more accurate estimates can be made of future recruitment, and by back-calculation the survival rate from spawning to appearance in the benthos can be calculated.     

Characterization of juvenile hormone-binding proteins of hemolymph of Locusta migratoria

The binding of juvenile hormone (JH) by components from hemolymph of adult female Locusta migratoria was characterized to establish whether hemolymph JH-binding proteins could be distinguished from a protein of fat body (BP-1) that may be a JH receptor. Hemolymph was analyzed by the hydroxyapatite assay, gel separation chromatography, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and density gradient centrifugation. Three fractions that bound JH were separated from whole hemolymph by DEAE cellulose column chromatography, and these differed from all three cytosol-binding components. The major hemolymph component (H-A) showed relatively stable binding of JH, a slight loss of binding capacity after delipidation, and a K_d for JH-I of 16 nM. The K_ds for JH-l and JH-lll with unfractionated hemolymph were 26 and 42 nM respectively. The order of effectiveness of competitors for binding of [³H]JH-l was JH-lll > JH-l ? methoprene > hydroprene ? acids of methoprene and hydroprene. The data indicated that unlabeled JH-lll was bound more effectively than its radioactive counterpart. The sedimentation values determined by sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation were 13-14 S for hemolymph, and the sedimentation value was not altered by the inclusion of 0.4 M KCl throughout the gradient. The data indicated that H-A resembled the specific JH carriers and differed from the putative receptor of fat body cytosol by several criteria.     

Juvenile hormone regulation of reproduction in the cyclorrhaphous diptera with emphasis on oogenesis

The great diversity seen in the cyclorrhaphous dipterans suggests that it is unlikely that juvenile hormone (JH) plays a common role within the group. The role that JH does play appears to be determined by adult lifestyle and nutritional impact on the neuroendocrine system. Using Phormia regina as a model system, the importance of JH in the reproductive biology of other cyclorrhaphous dipterans are compared. The different JHs found within this group, and the species studied, are presented. The effects of JH on the disappearance of pupal fat body in adults, accessory reproductive gland development, and the ontogeny of sexual behavior are discussed. As for oogenesis, vitellogenin biosynthesis and its uptake are described in more detail. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 35:513–537, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Changes of acid phosphatase content and activity in the fat body and the hemolymph of the flesh fly Neobellieria (sarcophaga) bullata during metamorphosis

Changes in the specific and total activity of the lysosomal marker enzyme acid phosphatase (Acph) and in the amount of enzyme protein were examined in the fat body and the hemolymph from the last larval molt to the larval-pupal apolysis. The specific activity showed minor changes during the last larval period. In contrast, the total activity of the enzyme was low during the feeding period and higher during the wandering stage and strikingly increased at the time of puparium formation. We purified a protein having para-nitrophenyl phosphate phosphatase (Acph) activity and raised antisera against it. The amount of Acph protein in the fat body and hemolymph was examined using an ELISA. The specific Acph content showed little variation, but the total amount of the enzyme protein showed a stepwise increase in both organs during last larval stage and was markedly elevated in the pupal stage in the fat body. In contrast, a considerable decrease in the amount of Acph protein was observed in the hemolymph during this period. These data were in agreement with immunohistochemical observations showing an accumulation of the enzyme protein in fat body cells during the prepupal stage with a concomitant disappearance of the enzyme from the hemolymph. Inhibition of ecdysteroid secretion by water stress prevented the changes both in total enzyme activity and in the amount of Acph protein. However, Acph protein content and enzyme activity could be restored when the water stress was followed by a 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE) treatment. Taken together, our data show that Acph is secreted by fat body cells into the hemolymph during the larval stage, where it is stored in an inactive form. Increase in the 20-HE titer at the end of last larval stage reverses this process, and the enzyme is taken up by the fat body cells, where it becomes activated and appears in auto- and heterophagic vacuoles. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 34:369–390, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

东亚飞蝗Locusta migratoria manilensis（Mey．）膝下器中具橛感器的附属细胞和附属结构的超微结构

东亚飞蝗膝下器的具橛感器主要由三类细胞组成．即：感觉细胞、感橛细胞和冠细胞。感觉细胞为具橛感器的主要结构和功能细胞,其超微结构已在其他的文章中描述。感橛细胞是具橛感器的主要支持细胞,从近端到远端依次与神经胶质细胞、感觉细胞的远端树突部分和感觉纤毛部以及顶端细胞外结构——冠、冠细胞直接接触．感橛细胞内最明显的结构为感概,另外,感橛细胞质被高度“空化”。冠细胞紧密包围着感橛细胞和冠,冠细胞中含有大量的纵行微管．并将整个具橛感器连接到体壁上。     

NEUROENDOCRINE REGULATION OF PROTEIN ACCUMULATION BY THE TRANSPARENT ACCESSORY REPRODUCTIVE GLAND OF MALE RHODNIUS PROLIXUS

Surgical removal of the corpus allatum or neurosecretory cells of the brain results in a marked reduction in protein accumulation in the transparent accessory reproductive gland (TARG) of the male. Topical application of C₁₈ juvenile hormone stimulates a dose-dependent accumulation of protein in allatectomized males. These results suggest that a direct or indirect stimulation by the neuroendocrine system is normally required for TARG protein synthesis.     

Properties,synthesis, and accumulation of storage proteins in Pieris rapae L.

Two kinds of storage proteins (SP-1, SP-2) were confirmed in hemolymph and fat body of Pieris rapae during metamorphosis. Both proteins were present in high concentrations in the hemolymph during the last larval instar. Hemolymph concentrations of SP-1 and SP-2 dropped after pupation as the proteins were being deposited in fat bodies. SP-2 is present in a larger amount than SP-1. Detailed studies on storage proteins determined their properties, mode of synthesis, and accumulation in the fat body. SP-1 has a molecular weight of 500,000 and consists of one type of subunit (M_r 77,000), while SP-2 has a molecular weight of 460,000 and is composed of two types of subunits (M_r 80,000 and 69,000). The pl values of SP-1 and SP-2 were determined to be 6.97 and 7.06, respectively. Fat body cells from 1-day-old fifth instar larvae synthesized storage proteins in large amounts, whereas those from late prepupae exhibited high protein sequestration. Proteins taken up in fat body accumulated in dense granules during the pupal stage but sharply decreased at the adult stage. Morphological changes in the fat body tissues were observed during the larval-pupal transformation; the nuclei of fat body cells became irregularly shaped, and the boundaries between cells seemed to be obscure. Synthesis, storage, or degradation of storage proteins in fat body during development is closely associated with morphological changes in the tissues.     

短时高温暴露下东亚飞蝗雌虫血淋巴蛋白表达分析及质谱鉴定

为研究短时高温对东亚飞蝗Locusta migratoria manilensis Meyen血淋巴蛋白的影响,采用Bradford法、SDSPAGE电泳和质谱等方法,对东亚飞蝗雌虫血淋巴样品进行检测。结果表明:短时高温对血淋巴蛋白含量有显著影响(P0.01),36℃-42℃范围内,随温度升高,血淋巴蛋白浓度亦升高,其中39℃、42℃处理组与对照组差异显著(P0.01);短时高温对血淋巴蛋白种类存在一定影响,对照组雌虫血淋巴中存在11种蛋白,高温处理后,4种蛋白含量逐渐增加,6种蛋白含量没有明显变化,1种蛋白消失;经质谱检测,鉴定了5种蛋白,分别为载脂蛋白前体、酚氧化酶原、2个储存蛋白和19 kDa血淋巴蛋白,另外6条蛋白未被鉴定。推测载脂蛋白前体、酚氧化酶原、储存蛋白在东亚飞蝗应对高温胁迫过程中发挥重要作用。     

长足大竹象雄性附腺提取物抑菌作用研究

: 以3种细菌(大肠杆菌Escherichia coli、金黄色葡萄球菌Bacillus subtilis、枯草芽孢杆菌Staphyloccocus aureus)为供试菌,测定了长足大竹象Cyrtotrachelus buqueti雄性附腺提取物的抑菌活性。结果表明:长足大竹象雄性附腺提取物对革兰氏阳性菌如枯草芽孢杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌均有一定的抑菌活性。不同浓度的粗提物对枯草芽孢杆菌及金黄色葡萄球菌抑菌影响差异均具有高度统计学意义(P<0.01),抑菌活性随着粗提物浓度的增加而增强。粗提物对金黄色葡萄球菌和枯草芽孢杆菌的最小抑菌浓度分别为0.2 mg·mL-1、0.4 mg·mL-1。不同处理温度对长足大竹象雄性附腺粗提物的抑菌作用有一定影响。     

Protein production in components of the accessory gland complex of male Melanoplus sanguinipes (Insecta: Orthoptera)

Protein production during sexual maturation or after allatectomy (followed by juvenile hormone replacement therapy) has been examined in the long hyaline glands, short hyaline glands, white glands, and seminal vesicles, which make up the accessory gland complex of male Melanoplus sanguinipes. During maturation, the amount of protein in the long hyaline glands increases about 14-fold, and in each of the other components between 5- and 6-fold. Most protein accumulates between days 3 and 5, and this is reflected in high levels of incorporation of radiolabelled leucine in this period.

The components show differential sensitivity to the effects of allatectomy. After this operation, the protein content of, and incorporation of radiolabel into, the long hyaline glands remain near the day 0 level. In the white glands and short hyaline glands, allatectomy also has a marked, though less severe, effect on protein synthesis and accumulation. The seminal vesicles are least affected by allatectomy and continue to accumulate protein (though more slowly) to about 60% of the normal level by day 10. Juvenile hormone compounds applied topically to allatectomized insects on day 2 restored the ability of the gland components to accumulate proteins, though to differing degrees. JHI is the most effective compound, stimulating synthesis and accumulation of protein to near normal levels by day 10, whereas application of JHIII or Stauffer's synthetic JH led to only partial restoration of protein synthesis in the glands.     

桑天牛雄性附腺内容物组分分析

测定桑天牛Apriona germaric(Hope)雄性附腺内容物中各组分含量及变化情况。结果表明,内容物中可溶性蛋白占总腺管鲜重的8.39%;总糖占总鲜重的4.21%;海藻糖和游离氨基酸分别占总鲜重的0.50%、0.25%。随虫龄的增大,内容物中各组分含量不断降低。交配过程中,雄性附腺内容物部分转移到雌虫,交配后附腺内容物中总糖、海藻糖、游离氨基酸等组分含量均降低,蛋白质组分含量先升高再降低,48h即恢复可到交配前水平。大、小附腺内各组分含量变化有差异。     

Evidence for mating plugs in the fire ant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Solenopsis invicta</Emphasis>

Summary Male inhibition of female re-mating is com-mon in many insects. Mating plugs, used by males to con-trol female re-mating, have been postulated in several ant species. Recent studies of bumblebees have described re-mating inhibition by male accessory gland secretions. Fire ants Solenopsis invicta possess accessory glands containing the same four fatty acids as do the bumblebees. Furthermore it appears that some of these acids are transferred to the female at mating. Thus, it is possible that single mating of fire ant females may be enforced by male mating plugs.     

Storage proteins of the fall webworm,Hyphantria cunea drury

Two storage proteins, storage protein-1 (SP1) and storage protein-2 (SP2), were found in hemolymph and fat body during the development of Hyphantria cunea, the fall webworm. Both storage proteins show similiar quantitative changes during development in males and females; however, SP1 is more abundant. The hemolymph of last instar larvae contains high concentrations of the storage proteins. However, following pupation, the storage proteins accumulate in fat bodies. SP1 peaks in the hemolymph of males and females late in last instar larvae (8-day-old 7th instar larvae). SP1 has a native molecular weight of 460,000 and consists of six identical subunits (Mr = 76,700), while SP2 has a molecular weight of 450,000 and is composed of two different subunits (Mr = 74,100 and 72,400). Both SP1 and SP2 are hexamers and are phosphorylated glycolipoproteins. The pl values of SP1 and SP2 were determined to be 5.70 and 5.50, respectively. Antibodies raised against SP1 react positively with vitellogenin and ovary extract, as well as with proteins in the hemolymph from last instar larvae and proteins in pupal fat bodies. Storage protein synthesis starts in fat bodies of a 4-day-old 7th instar larvae and in female peaks at 6–8 days of the 7th instar.     

磁场对东亚飞蝗体色的影响

本试验用0.45T的稳定磁场处理东亚飞蝗Locusta migratoria manilensis(Meyen)的若虫和成虫,在温度为(35±2)℃、光周期为(L∶D=10∶14)、光照度12000lx、相对湿度64%的光照培养箱中饲养,历时38d,发现该磁场对东亚飞蝗体表色素的变化有明显的影响,主要表现为草绿色、乳黄色和浅白色等几种颜色,对开发昆虫宠物市场有一定的启发。     

Transfer and fate of male secretions deposited in the spermatophore of females of Acanthoscelides obtectus Say (Coleoptera Bruchidae)

During mating, males of Acanthoscelides obtectus deposit a spermatophore in the female genital tract. Spermatophore structure subsequently undergoes considerable modification, especially the central portion, which becomes vacuolated. Two methods were used to show that certain male secretions could thus pass into female haemolymph. When young males were injected with [¹⁴C]-arginine or [¹⁴C]-histidine, the accessory glands actively incorporated the isotope and the resulting spermatophores were radioactive. After mating, spermatophore radioactivity declined and then appeared in the haemolymph of females and in the oöcytes after a delay. Immunoelectrophoresis also showed that antigens appeared in the haemolymph of females after mating which reacted against male-gland antiserum. This technique, however, did not enable us to detect the presence of male antigens in the oöcytes formed after mating. The fate of some male secretions in the female and their physiological importance in the control of the female reproductive function were analysed in the present work.     

Ovariectomy in grasshoppers increases somatic storage, but proportional allocation of ingested nutrients to somatic tissues is unchanged

Reduced reproduction increases storage and extends lifespan in several animal species. The disposable soma hypothesis suggests this life extension occurs by shifting allocation of ingested nutrients from reproduction to the soma. A great deal of circumstantial evidence supports this hypothesis, but no direct tracking of nutrients has been performed in animals that are long-lived because of direct reduction in reproduction. Here, we use the stable isotopes to track carbon and nitrogen from ingestion to somatic organs in long-lived, ovariectomized grasshoppers. Three estimates of somatic storage (viz., quantity of hemolymph storage proteins, amount of femur muscle carbohydrates, and size of the fat body) all doubled upon ovariectomy. In stark contrast, ovariectomy did not increase the proportion of these tissues that were made from recently ingested foods. In other words, the physiology underlying relative allocation to these somatic tissues was not affected by ovariectomy. Thus, at the level of whole tissue storage, these results are consistent with a trade-off between reproduction and longevity. In contrast, our stable isotope data are inconsistent with the prediction that enhanced storage in ovariectomized females results from a physiological shift in allocation of ingested nutrients.     

Presence and regulation of trehalose in the body of adult Phormia regina

Trehalose, the major blood sugar of Phormia regina, is present within its tissues in an amount exceeding that in the total blood volume. A major part of the reserve is found in the abdominal fat body. An investigation of trehalose regulation, pursued with the use of a trehalose tolerance test, indicates that within a period of 4 h the adult fly can remove from its blood amounts of this sugar in excess of twice its normal level. The surplus is dealt with in an as yet unknown way, being either sequestered in the tissues (not as trehalose or glucose), metabolized, or excreted in a form other than trehalose or glucose. The process is regulated by the head, and a link between the body and the head must be maintained throughout the entire period of activity.