The hormonal control of mitosis and meiosis during oögenesis in a blood-sucking bug Panstrongylus megistus

Abstract

Total or partial ablation experiments were performed on the pars interecerebralis (P.I.), thoracic glands and corpus allatum of Panstrongylus megistus at two critical times during the initial development of the ovary: the periods before the mitotic crisis and before meiosis. Ablation of the P.I. clearly shows that ovarian mitoses and meiosis in the female P. megistus are two distinct phenomena, both dependent on the brain. Induction of mitosis is regulated by the A cells of the P.I. Once the mitotic crisis is over, these cells are no longer necessary for further ovarian development or, in particular, for the initiation of meiosis. The latter is dependent on the A cells of the P.I. The thoracic gland is not required for ovarian mitosis, but is indispensable for meiosis to occur. The corpus allatum has no influence on the differentiation of the ovariole but seems to be required for correct ovarian function during the cytoplasmic growth period of the oöcytes.