Number and size of intracisternal granules in the adipokinetic hormone-secreting cells of locusts: a phase-dependent characteristic

• Published in: Physiological entomology Vol. 24; no. 1; pp. 51 - 55
• Main Authors: Diederen, J. H. B., Verstegen, M. M. A., Oudejans, R. C. H. M., Vullings, H. G. B., Van Der Horst, D. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.03.1999; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adipokinetic cells; adipokinetic hormone-secreting cells; ergastoplasmic granules; intracisternal granules; locust phase polymorphism; Locusta migratoria; Locusta migratoria migratorioides
• ISSN: 0307-6962; 1365-3032
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3032.1999.00111.x

.The intracisternal (= ergastoplasmic) granules in the adipokinetic hormone‐secreting cells of the glandular lobes of the corpora cardiaca in Locusta migratoria migratorioides represent accumulations of adipokinetic prohormones within cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Solitary locusts have more and larger intracisternal granules than gregarious locusts. This coincides with the general locomotor activity and thus the energy metabolism in solitary locusts being quite different from that of gregarious locusts, which apparently has consequences for the amounts of adipokinetic hormones synthesized and/or released and, consequently, for the storage of these hormones in the intracisternal granules. These granules apparently function as supplementary stores of secretory material.