Control of C-16 juvenile hormone biosynthesis in active corpora allata of female African locusts

Abstract

Corpora allata from 8-day-old female Locusta migratoria, during the phase of yolk deposition, exhibit high rates of C-16 juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthesis. The effect of different potential factors which may be involved in the regulation of corpora allata activity is reported. The biosynthetic activity of corpora allata was determined by radiochemical assay. In maturing females, no changes in corpora allata activity are detected during one daily cycle. Starvation reduces JH biosynthesis only 3 days after the beginning of the food deprivation. Suppression of the median neurosecretory material by electrocoagulation of the internal cardiaca tract (TCC-I) does not disturb JH biosynthesis whereas the transection of the allata I nerve fibres (NCA-I) or the electrocoagulation of the lateral neurosecretory pericarya results in a rapid decline of JH biosynthesis. These data indicate that the median and lateral allatotropins are different, and that only the lateral neurosecretory material exerts an allatostimulating action on corpora allata at the time of vitellogenesis. The corpora allata response to the median allatotropin changes during oocyte growth. C-16 JH and/or 20-hydroxyecdysone treatments in vitro (addition in the culture medium) and in vivo (injection in female) do not influence JH production in our experimental conditions.