The Effects of Juvenile Hormone Analogue, Fenoxycarb on the Last Instar Testes of Bombyx mori

Abstract

The development and metamorphosis of insects is regulated by juvenile hormone (JH) and ecdysone hormone, which are worked antagonist. Fenoxycarb is an effective juvenile hormone analogue on many insects. In this study, the effect of fenoxycarb on the last larval stage Bombyx mori testes was investigated. Male larvae on the 6th day of the last instar are divided into 2 groups. 1 ng of fenoxycarb dissolved in acetone was topically applied to larvae in the treatment group and the remaining 18 larvae were used as the control group. Control and treated groups were followed to until pupation from day when they showed cocoon spinning behavior. After dissection, several of testes were entreated routine histological processes and photographed. In treatment group, it was seen that fenoxycarb reduced spermatogonium formation by suppressing ecdysone release and caused a decrease in mature sperm. Remaining testes are used to the analysis of total carbohydrate and glycogen content. In conclusion, fenoxycarb has the reducing effect on spermatogenesis and it can cause to decrease of total carbohydrate content because of stress in insects. These histological and biochemical results may be in support of the use of fenoxycarb as an insect growth regulator (IGR) for harmful insects.