Cell death mechanisms during follicular atresia in Dipetalogaster maxima.

AGUIRRE, S.A.; PONS, P; SETTEMBRINI, BP; ARROYO, D; CANAVOSO, LE

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2013 vol. 59 p. 532 - 532

n this work we have analyzed the involvement of cell death pathways during the process of follicular atresia in the hematophagous insect vector Dipetalogaster maxima . Standardized insect rearing conditions were established to induce a gradual follicular degeneration stage by depriving females of blood meal during post-vitellogenesis. We first characterized the morpho-histological and ultrastructural changes of the ovarian tissue at early and late follicular atresia by light and transmission electron microscopy. Apoptosi s was investigated by DAPI nuclear staining, TUNEL labeling and the detection of active caspase- 3 by immunofluorescence. Autophagy was assessed by the measurement of acid phosphatase activity in ovarian homogenates and monitor ed by the detection of the specific marker of autophagic comp artments, LC3. High levels of acid phosphatase activity were detected at all atretic stages. However, follicular cells of follicles undergoing incipient degeneration in earl