Localization of Methionine-Enkephalin-Like Peptides in the Nervous System and Ovaries of the Calliphora vomitoria During the First Reproductive Cycle

Summary

Using the peroxidase antiperoxidase immunocytochemical method (PAP) Met-enkephalin immunoreactivity has been demonstrated in brains (males and females) and ovaries of Calliphora vomitoria. The Met-enkephalir immunoreactive neuronal structures are present in the cerebrum, sub- oesophageal ganglion and optic lobes. A similar distribution pattern of Met- enkephalin immunoreactivity is observed in both brains and ovaries of severa stages from 0.30 hr to 48 hr after copulation. In the ovaries, the distributior of the Met-enkephalin-like peptide is dependent in the stage of development o: the ovarian follicles. In trophocytes and oocytes, the immunoreactivity firsl appears around the nuclei, and is then dispersed in the cytoplasm. Later, al the end of vitellogenesis it is only present in the periphery of the cells and finally, it disappears. No Met-enkephalin immunoreactivity is found in tht follicle cells.