Abstract
Changes in the total protein titer in the haemolymph (HL) and ovaries (Ov) of mated fed normal and Lufox treated female Argas persicus during the reproductive cycle and in the HL of normal male were studied. Tick engorgement was followed by an intial drop of the HL total protein concentration immediately and up to the 2nd and 3rd day after feeding (daf), then by a gradual increase on next days to reach maximum on 4-7 and 6-7 daf in the female and male, respectively. The level in the female HL was much higher than that in the male during vitellogenesis and the onset of oviposition. In the ovaries of normal female the total protein level increased gradually immediately up to 2 daf and evidently on 3 daf to reach a maximum on 5-7 daf. The protein level in the HL and ovaries decreased after the completion of oviposition (20 daf). Topical application of a single dose of 50 ppm Lufox on the mated female A. persicus on the 3rd daf interfered with protein production causing a significant reduction in the total protein level in the HL (43.04-55.57%) and ovaries (36.47-46.43%) during vitellogenesis on 4-7 daf and in eggs (15.38%) freshly deposited by the treated female. Also, application of Lufox on the 3rd daf altered the normal pattern of change in the level of HL and ovary total protein during the reproductive cycle by preventing any appreciable increase in the level on next days (4-7 daf) where the level remained constant in the ovaries and even decreased in the HL (4-5 daf).
Highlights
Insect growth regulators (IGRs) such as hormones and chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSI) can disrupt reproduction and development in insects (Walker and Edman, 1990; Martins et al 2008; Kavalleratos et al 2012 and Halawa et al 2013) and ticks (Connat and Nepa, 1990; Lunke and Kaufman, 1991; Friesen et al 2003 and Radwan et al 2009)
In accordance with the findings of the present study, Boctor and Araman (1971) found a decrease of the concentration of free amino acids in the HL of A. persicus and A. arboreus after feeding, which was attributed to dilution of the hemolymph
The initial drop of total protein concentration in the HL of A. persicus 1 hr after feeding was followed by a gradual increase of the level to reach that of the unfed controls on the 3rd and 4th daf and to exceed it on the days to reach maximum on days 4-7 and the 6th and 7th daf in females and males, respectively
Summary
Insect growth regulators (IGRs) such as hormones and chitin synthesis inhibitors (CSI) can disrupt reproduction and development in insects (Walker and Edman, 1990; Martins et al 2008; Kavalleratos et al 2012 and Halawa et al 2013) and ticks (Connat and Nepa, 1990; Lunke and Kaufman, 1991; Friesen et al 2003 and Radwan et al 2009). Argas persicus, topical application of Lufox (mixture of a juvenile hormone analogue and a CSI) on the adult female tick reduced fecundity and fertility of the treated female and delayed their oviposition and egg hatch (Abd ElHamid, 2014). The present work is aimed to study the effect of Lufox topical treatment of adult female A. persicus on the concentration of total protein in the hemolymph, ovaries and newly deposited eggs in order to evaluate the possible physiological implications of this mixture of IGRs in tick control An increase in the level of haemolymph and ovarian total protein has been found to occur during vitellogenesis of adult female ixodid (Tatchell, 1971 and Araman, 1979) and argasid ticks (Shanbaky et al, 1990 and Yousery, 2011).
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