Abstract
Abstract : Experimental observations were made to test the validity of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-carbon dioxide (CO2) hypothesis, designed to explain the neurochemical interactions that govern a mosquito's behavior in the presence of its host. It was postulated that the formation of carbamino-GABA underlies the activating effects of CO2 on mosquitoes. The isolated central nervous system of the cockroach, P. americana, was utilized to test the effects of carbamino-GABA and other compounds on the nervous system of an insect. GABA inhibited the spontaneous firing rate of this preparation in the absence of CO2, but stimulated it in its presence. Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, a substance which cannot form a carbamino compound, was inhibitory both in the absence and presence of CO2. A chemical analogue of carbamino-GABA, N-acetyl GABA stimulated the preparation. It was shown that NAG and GABA probably compete for the same site on the synaptic membrane. The evaluation of selected compounds for mosquito repellency by the electronic recording method was studied. A statistically designed series of tests were performed to test the validity of some basic assumptions that are involved in using the electronic method for the assay of repellents.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
