Abstract
The epithelial cells of Panstrongylus megistus male accessory glands (MAG) present ultrastructural characteristics of a secretory cell. Their secretory products are accumulated in the lumen of the four MAG lobes. During the first 8 days of adult life a strong secretion activity occurs, accumulating enough material to produce the first spermatophore. Cerebral neurosecretions as well as juvenile hormone are both involved in MAG secretory activity regulation. Juvenile hormone seems to be the responsible for the stimulation of most protein synthesis in male accessory glands. Cerebral neurosecretion seems to be necessary to stimulate juvenile hormone production and release by the corpus allatum. Furthermore, neurosecretion is required for some polypeptides synthesis by MAG. Although topic application of precocene II to adult males does not reproduce the same effects on MAG as does allatectomy, this compound causes strong reduction on male reproductive capacity.
Secretory activity and endocrine regulation of male accessory glands in the blood-sucking bug Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)
Lêda Regis1
André F. Furtado2
Yara de M. Gomes2
Vera B. Coutinho2
Maria José C. Schuetz1
Vânia S. Cavalcante1
M. Edileuza F. Brito2
Helio B. Coutinho2
UFPE, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Recife, Brasil
FIOCRUZ, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães, Recife, Brasil
The epithelial cells of Panstrongylus megistus male accessory glands (MAG) present ultrastructural characteristics of a secretory cell. Their secretory products are accumulated in the lumen of the four MAG lobes. During the first 8 days of adult life a strong secretion activity occurs, accumulating enough material to produce the first spermatophore. Cerebral neurosecretions as well as juvenile hormone are both involved in MAG secretory activity regulation. Juvenile hormone seems to be the responsible for the stimulation of most protein synthesis in male accessory glands. Cerebral neurosecretion seems to be necessary to stimulate juvenile hormone production and release by the corpus allatum. Furthermore, neurosecretion is required for some polypeptides synthesis by MAG. Although topic application of precocene II to adult males does not reproduce the same effects on MAG as does allatectomy, this compound causes strong reduction on male reproductive capacity.
Full text available only in PDF format.
Texto completo disponível apenas em PDF.
Publication Dates
-
Publication in this collection
26 June 2009 -
Date of issue
1987
