Control of Oöcyte Development in Cockroaches

Abstract

Development of ovarian eggs and secretory activity of colleterial glands are inhibited by the oötheca in the oöthecal chamber of Blattella germanica (L.) and by the oötheca in the uterus of Pycnoscelus surinamensis (L.). The inhibition is due to nervous stimuli from pressure of the oötheca. Removing the oötheca or severing the ventral nerve cord eliminates inhibition of the corpora allata and results in premature development of the oöcytes and resumption of activity of the colleterial glands.