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We investigated the ovarian response of Blaberus craniifer to charybdotoxin in both imaginal molt headless females and isolated fed females, at three criteria. 1--Vitellogenesis onset, detected by immunocytochemical localisation of sites binding anti-eggs antibodies in the basal oocyte in headless females: 60% of treated females present a positive response. 2--Oocyte length at D4 during vitellogenesis of isolated fed females which was enhanced by 0.1 - 0.2 microg toxin; doses higher than 0.5 microg/female decrease ovarian growth. 3--Time of oviposition of paired females which was shortened by 24 hrs by the toxin. These results suggest that low doses charybdotoxin enhance vitellogenesis, possibly via the nervous system by means of a substance conditioning both protein synthesis by the fat body and ovarian uptake.

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The ovarian response of the imaginal molt decapitated cockroach, Blaberus craniifer, to nanomolar quantities of synthetic proctolin was evaluated. Sites binding anti-egg proteins were detected in the basal oocyte in 67% (18 out of 27) of the treated females, indicating that vitellogenin uptake is mediated by proctolin. The injected concentration of proctolin was consistent with a physiological role. The results suggest that proctolin, a putative neurotransmitter or neuromodulator, possibly acts on a non-excitable cell, the oocyte. At this level, the precise mechanism is discussed with respect to the calcium-dependent processes involved in both the proctolin myogenic effect and vitellogenin uptake in other species of cockroach.

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Microtopographic features of the various growth stages of the three free-living larval stages of the rat hookworm Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nematoda) were surveyed by scanning electron microscopy. These worms have a rounded anterior end and an elongated tail. Cuticular annulations were observed along the body, which also bore two ribbon-like lateral alae. Two rings of six lip-like lappets were observed around the triradiate oral opening in all larval stages. The cephalic space contained two lateral amphidial pits. The excretory pore in the third anterior part was observed in a ventral view of the larvae. No deirids were observed. The anus with a crescent-shape opening was located posteriorly. Phasmidial apertures, only observed in the third-stage larvae, opened on the lateral alae in the tail region.

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Specimens of the rat hookworm, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nematoda) were recovered from lungs (third- and fourth-stage larvae) and intestine (fourth-stage larvae and adults). The following features were studied in the different stages by scanning electron microscopy: cephalic structures, especially sense organs, synlophe, cervical region, and caudal part. The main differences between the third and fourth stages concerned the lip-like structures around the oral aperture, the appearance of the cephalic space with the presence of a cephalic cap in fourth-stage larvae, the pattern of longitudinal ridges, and sexual differentiation. Pore-like papillae, not seen in third-stage larvae, developed in later stages. Deirids were observed only in adults, and phasmids were poorly discerned. Some of these morphological features, such as the cephalic sense organ apertures and cuticle pores and micropores, can be observed only by scanning electron microscopy. The possible functions of these different structures and their relationship with the behavior of the worms during their life cycle are discussed.

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1. Decapitating newly emerged Blaberus craniifer females near the prothorax severs connections between the suboesophageal and prothoracic ganglia, thus depriving them of the neuroendocrine cephalic complex (including brain and suboesophageal ganglion) and the anterior end of prothoracic glands (PGs). 2. As demonstrated by enzyme immunoassay (EIA), headless females have higher levels of ecdysteroids (ECDs) in haemolymph than starved or fed females, indicating that the neuroendocrine cephalic complex influences circulating ECD levels. 3. The time course of hormonal peaks in decapitated females resembles that in starved females during the first post-ecdysial week, suggesting that some as yet unknown regulating mechanism of ECD production lies outside the head. 4. It is suggested that: (a) The PGs are sites for ECDs production in the early post-imaginal period, (b) the prothoracic and suboesophageal ganglia (linked by nerves to PGs) regulate PGs activity, possibly via neural inputs.

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1. Indolamine levels were determined in the cerebral ganglion, the thoraco-abdominal nerve cord (except the last ganglion), and the 6th abdominal ganglion of females of Blaberus craniifer. 2. Measurements were made at the imaginal molt and on fed and crowded imagos at 10, 20 and 30 post-imaginal days. 3. Indolamines were found in the nervous system of young females, but 5-hydroxytryptophan was only detected in the thoraco-abdominal nerve cord. 4. Amine levels were related to the age of the cockroach, particularly during this period, to post-ecdysis events and ootheca formation.

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1. Apart from octopamine, the same indolamines and catecholamines were detected in the whole nervous system of the cockroach Blaberus craniifer Burm., at the same time. 2. However, levels were found to depend on sex, age, and the anatomic region within the nervous system. 3. Although not established, it is thought that these substances act synchronously from the ganglia. 4. The differences in levels between males and females and between anatomical regions during imaginal life suggest, in this species of cockroach, the physiological importance of the metameric organization in metabolic pathways or functional aspects of biogenic amines.

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1. Indolamines were assayed by HPLC-ECD in nervous tissue of fed and crowded young males Blaberus craniifer Burm. 2. In males, as in females housed in the same conditions, levels are depending on both age and region (= ganglia) of the central nervous system. 3. Registered sex differences are discussed in terms of anatomical, physiological and behavioral sexual dimorphism.

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1. Simultaneous quantification (HPLC and electrochemical detection) of biological extracts have shown dopamine, N-acetyl dopamine, tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptamine, a 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid-like substance in nervous tissue and hemolymph of Blaberus craniifer and Periplaneta americana. 2. 5-Hydroxytryptophan was only detected in head and thoraco-abdominal nerve cord. 3. Octopamine, but not N-acetyl-5-HT was quantified in the hemolymph.

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1. The effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine on oocytes of Blaberus craniifer, in which vitellogenesis was prevented by imaginal molt decapitation, were investigated. 2. Sites binding anti-egg-protein antibodies were detected in the periphery of basal oocytes of treated females, with individual variability. 3. In this ovoviviparous cockroach, the onset of vitellogenesis may thus not be triggered solely by juvenile hormone, and indolamines may play a role in the uptake of haemolymphatic proteins by oocytes.

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A gonadotropic inhibition is observed by means of oothecal production in Periplaneta americana after unilateral amputation of the mandible, the maxillary palp and the labial palp, in females reared with males at emergence. It is apparent that the sense organs of the mouthparts are involved in neuroendocrine regulatory mechanisms. In males, histological changes take place in the corpora allata. The findings support the implicit assumption that the secretory activities of the corpora allata are controlled by nervous impulses coming from the mouthparts, along neuroendocrine pathways.

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