The effect of allatectomy or neurosecretory cell ablation on protein synthesis in the spermathecae ofRhodnius prolixus

Abstract

An analysis of the incorporation of [3H]leucine into the proteins of the spermathecae in Rhodnius prolixus revealed a gradual increase from the day of emergence until the animals were fed on the tenth day of adult life, when there was a dramatic drop to the original level. These changes are best explained by alterations in the size of the pool of leucine in the haemolymph. There were no differences between virgin and mated insects. Neither allatectomy nor removal of the neurosecretory cells of the pars intercerebralis altered the total extractable protein of the spermathecae. Removal of neurosecretory cells had no effect on the incorporation of leucine, whereas allatectomy increased the incorporation in mated females. The failure of the secretion to appear in the spermathecal lumen of females lacking their neurosecretory cells does not result from a failure in protein synthesis.