Age-related changes in the response to adipokinetic hormone in Locusta migratoria

ABSTRACT. In fifth instar nymphs of Locusta there is only a feeble adipokinetic response to extracts of corpora cardiaca. In fledglings, this poor response persists for a few days but then increases dramatically to reach a plateau by day 8. The response declines to almost zero as the locusts age beyond 35 days of adult life. This pattern of change in response is similar in both males and females but there are some differences in magnitude depending upon whether the response is measured as changes in haemolymph total lipid (vanillin-positive material) or total diglyceride (gas liquid chromatography). The poor response to adipokinetic hormone in nymphs and newly fledged locusts is not a result of shortage of stored lipid in the fat body and cannot be improved by injection of extra hormone.