Disturbances in the development of the egg chambers of Galleria mellonella L. (Lepidoptera) after reserpine administration

Reserpine causes some changes in the morphology of developing egg chambers when administered to the last (7th)-instar larvae of Galleria mellonella. Among the alterations, there is a numerical change in the number of egg chambers produced in one ovariole. The number of previtellogenic and postvitellogenic egg chambers was decreased significantly. Histological study revealed a series of pathological alterations in the follicular epithelium, oöcytes and trophocytes. Atrophy or proliferation of follicular cells was often observed. Strong vacuolation of the cytoplasm of cells forming the egg chambers appeared in all developmental stages, mainly at the vitellogenic stage. Changes also occurred in the surface of the ovariole tube.The observed disturbances in the developing ovarioles of the wax moth are probably the consequence of reserpine action on the neuroendocrine system.