The effects of allatectomy and ovariectomy on haemolymph proteins and lipid mobilization in Locusta

• Published in: Journal of insect physiology Vol. 26; no. 11; pp. 741 - 747
• Main Authors: Mwangi, R.W., Goldsworthy, G.J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 1980
• Subjects: animal physiology; arthropods; entomology
• ISSN: 0022-1910; 1879-1611
• DOI: 10.1016/0022-1910(80)90087-6

After ovariectomy the concentrations of diacylglycerol and protein in the haemolymph increase markedly. The increased diacylglycerol is associated with increased quantities of the ‘heparin-precipitable’ protein (lipoprotein A) that carries diacylglycerol in the blood of normal resting locusts. After the injection of adipokinetic hormone (AKH), the blood of ovariectomized locusts contains only slight quantities of the ‘heparin-soluble’ lipoprotein A + whereas this forms in large amounts in the blood of sham-operated locusts after AKH injection. After allatectomy, the increase in the adipokinetic response is slower and the full level of responsiveness observed in sham-operated locusts is never attained. Nevertheless, allatectomized locusts develop a marked adipokinetic response which tends to stabilize as they age; it does not deteriorate as it does in aged sham-operated locusts. The effects of ovariectomy on blood metabolites can be prevented completely by allatectomy, but only partially by cautery of the cerebral neurosecretory cells. Treatment with a juvenile hormone analogue (JHA R-20458) counteracts the effects of allatectomy in ovariectomized locusts.