Diphenols in hemolymph and cuticle during development and cuticle tanning of Periplaneta americana (L.) and other cockroach species

Abstract

AbstractDiphenolic compounds in cockroach hemolymph and cuticle were extracted with 1.2 N HCI, partially purified by alumina adsorption, and analyzed by liquid chromatography. Dopamine (DA) is the major catecholamine in hemolymph of Periplaneta americana, Blatta orientalis, Blattella germanica, Gromphadorhina portentosa, and Blaberus craniifer at adult ecdysis, while N‐acetyldopamine (NADA) predominates in hemolymph of Leucophaea maderae. In P. americana, NADA is the second most abundant catecholamine, while N‐β‐alanyldopamine (NBAD), norepinephrine (NE), 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine, 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylethanol, 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, and 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid occur in lesser quantities. Catecholamines occur mainly as acid labile conjugates in hemolymph. Dopamine, conjugated primarily as the 3‐sulfate ester, increases in hemolymph from 0.1 to 0.8 mM during the last instar. Concentrations decrease by 75% in pharate adults, partially because of an increase in hemolymph volume. A second smaller peak of DA sulfate occurs after ecdysis followed by a rapid disappearance as the cuticle tans. A conjugate of catechol (o‐dihydroxybenzene) is also present in relatively high concentrations at all ages examined. In cuticle, N‐β‐alanylnorepinephrine accumulates during the early period of adult tanning, while NBAD, NADA, N‐acetylnorepinephrine, and DA increase more slowly. The N‐β‐alanyl and N‐acetyl derivatives of DA and NE occure in relatively high concentrations in tanned cutical of P. americana and probably play an important role in the stablization process.