Sensitivity to Diploptera punctata allatostatin of male corpora allata following denervation, juvenile hormone analog treatment and ovary implantation

Abstract

Allatostatins, brain neuropeptides, of Diploptera punctata inhibit the corpora allata in vitro, and the sensitivity of the corpora allata to allatostatins depends on the developmental state of the glands. This investigation demonstrates changes in rates of juvenile hormone synthesis and sensitivity of corpora allata of male D. punctata to allatostatin I (A-P-S-G-A-Q-R-L-Y-G-F-G-L-NH 2) in vitro as a result of experimental treatments which were shown previously to effect changes in hemolymph allatostatin. Sensitivity of male glands to allatostatin increased in the first 8 days of adult life. Severance of nerves to the corpora allata on day 1 resulted in increased sensitivity of corpora allata by day 5 compared to controls. Treatment of animals with juvenile hormone analog (7S-hydroprene) in addition to severance of nerves showed an increase in sensitivity to allatostatin by day 3. Implantation of vitellogenic ovarioles into males on day 2, after severance of corpora allata nerves and juvenile hormone analog application on day 1, resulted by day 4 in relatively lower sensitivities of corpora allata to allatostatin than for corpora allata from similarly treated males receiving non-vitellogenic ovarioles. These changes in sensitivity of corpora allata to allatostatin in vitro could only in part account for changes in rates of juvenile hormone synthesis observed following experimental treatments.