Biochemical changes in the transition from vitellogenesis to follicular atresia in the hematophagous Dipetalogaster maxima (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

AGUIRRE, S.A.; FRUTTERO, L.L.; LEYRIA, J.; DEFFERRARI, M.S.; PINTO, P.M.; SETTEMBRINI, B.P.; RUBIOLO, E.R.; CARLINI, C.R.; CANAVOSO, L.E.

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Lugar: Amsterdan; Año: 2011 vol. 41 p. 832 - 832

span lang="en" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In this work, we have explored the biochemical changes characterizing the transition from vitellogenesis to follicular atresia, employing the hematophagous insect vector Dipetalogaster maxima as a model. Standardized insect rearing conditions were established to induce a gradual follicular degeneration stage by depriving females of blood meal during post-vitellogenesis. For the studies, hemolymph and ovaries were sampled at representative days of pre-vitellogenesis, vitellogenesis and early and late follicular atresia. When examined by scanning electron microscopy, ovarioles at the initial stage of atresia were small but still showed some degree of asynchronism, a feature that was lost in an advanced degeneration state. At late follicular atresia, in vivo uptake assays of fluorescently labeled vitellogenin (Vg-FITC) showed loss of competitiveness o