RNA biosynthesis in isolated prothoracic glands ofTenebrio molitor in vitro

Summary The prothoracic Glands ofTenebrio molitor synthesize in vitro mainly rRNA. The rate of RNA synthesis reaches a maximum at day 10 of the last larval instar, which coincides with the event of apolysis.The work was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. We thank Dr.H. Winter, Heidelberg, for helpful suggestions for the RNA separations.     

Secretory cycle and disappearance of the prothoracic glands inTenebrio molitor L. (coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

Zusammenfassung Bei Tenebrio-Larven werden cyclische Veränderungen der Prothoraxdrüsen beschrieben. Sie bestehen in Vergrösserung der Drüse, verbunden mit Bildung von Körnchen, Fibrillen und Sekrettröpfchen im Cytoplasma. Etwa zwei Tage vor der Häutung wird das Sekret ausgestossen und die Drüse wieder verkleinert. Im letzten Larvenstadium liegt diese kritische Phase 24 h nach Aufhören des Fressens. Die Drüse degeneriert in der Puppe bei Beginn der Augenpigmentierung.     

Neurosecretion and incretory glands in a tectibranch mollusc

Zusammenfassung Unter Anwendung der Gomorischen Chrom-Hämatoxylin-Phloxin-Färbung wird die Existenz neurosekretorischer Granula in den feineren und feinsten Nerven der tectibranchen MolluskeCylichna cylindracea (Pennant) nachgewiesen. Dazu kommt die Entdeckung einiger Verbindungen zwischen den vorher nachgewiesenen, zentral liegenden, neurosekretorischen Riesenzellen und einigen speziellen kleinen, vermutlich inkretorischen Organen, die nahe an der Oberfläche der zentralen Ganglien liegen, und die — untereinander mit einer ganzen Anzahl speziellen Nervenfasern verbunden — bei dieser Molluske einen ganzen Komplex von inkretorischen Organen zu bilden scheinen.     

Cerebral neurosecretions and regulation of moulting in a haematophagous insectPanstrongylus megistus, (Heteroptera,Reduviidae)

Summary 2 factors elaborated by distinct neurosecretory cells in the pars intercerebralis control moulting inPanstrongylus megistus. The 1st, originating probably in the A cells, activates the thoracic gland. The 2nd, produced by the A cells, acts at an earlier stage in a different way.Supported by CNPq., Brésil and DGRST (aide No. 76.7.0716).     

Cyclic variations in luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormone excretion by male rabbits,indicating a male equivalent to the oestrous cycle

Summary Cyclic variations of the urinary concentrations of gonadotropins in the male rabbit have been demonstrated. The mean durations of the cycles, 5–7 days, are close to that of the oestrous cycle of the female rabbit.     

Oxidative activity during the sexual cycle of the central nervous system,adrenal glands and ovaries in the hamster (Mesocricetus auratus)

Summary The results indicate significant increases of the oxidative metabolism in the oestrus of the ovaries, hypothalamus and the posterior cortex, while in the amygdala this increase occurs in the phase of diestrus.     

The effect of 2-ethylisothionicotinamide (TH1314) on the ascorbic acid and cholesterol content of the adrenal glands in rats

Zusammenfassung Bei ein- bis fünftägiger Verabreichung von 100 mg 2-Aethylisothionicotinamide (TH₁₃₁₄)/kg peroral kommt es bei Ratten nach 2 h zu einer Absenkung des Ascorbinsäuregehalts in den Nebennieren. Nach 14 h ist der Ascorbinsäuregehalt der Nebennieren wieder normal geworden. Nach 2 h wurden keine bedeutenden Veränderungen im Cholesterolgehalt der Nebennieren bemerkt, dagegen stieg der Cholesterolgehalt nach 14 h. stark an. Bei den absoluten Gewichten wurden keine bedeutenden Unterschiede beobachtet. Die Resultate zeigen, dass TH₁₃₁₄ die adrenocorticale Aktivität steigert.

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Aided by a grant from the Sigrid Jusélius Foundation.     

Titers of ecdysone, 20-hydroxyecdysone and juvenile hormone III throughout the life cycle of a hemimetabolous insect,the ovoviviparous cockroachNauphoeta cinerea

Summary Titers of ecdysone, 20-hydroxyecdysone and juvenile hormone III were measured in whole body extracts or hemolymph of embryos, first, penultimate and last stadium nymphs, and adult females ofNaupoheta cinerea. We used a gas-chromatography/mass spectrometry method for quantifying juvenile hormone and a radio-immunoassay for ecdysteroid determination. Juvenile hormone III is particularly abundant in the embryonic stage (up to 960 ng/g), at a low level in first and penultimate stadium nymphs (2–10 ng/ml) and almost absent in the last nymphal stadium; in the adult female the juvenile hormone titer rises to 180 ng/ml in hemolymph during rapid oocyte growth. The titers of ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone undergo similar fluctuations in the embryonic and nymphal stages, being highest at the time of cuticle formation in the embryo and a few days before the nymphal and adult molts (around 100–200 ng/ml for exdysone and 2–4 g/ml for 20-hydroxyecdysone).Acknowledgments. We thank Mrs A. Tschan for rearing the cockroaches, Mr M. Kaltenrieder for drawing the graphs, Mr G.C. Jamieson and Mrs C. Reuter for GC/MS analyses. We are also grateful to the Swiss National Science Foundation (grant no. 3.291-0.82 to B. Lanzrein) and the United States National Science Foundation (grant no. PCM 82-08665 to D.A. Schooley) for their financial support.     

Effect of aldosterone,glucagon and growth hormone on the catechol amine content and the evolution of chromaffin hyperplasia in guinea-pigs

Résumé La variation du taux des catécholamines (adrénaline et noradrénaline) et les modifications histologiques ont été étudiés après administration d'aldostérone, de glucagon et d'hormone de croissance sur l'hyperplasie médullo-chromaffine provoquée chez des cobayes par l'stradiol.

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The authors thank CIBA AG, Basle, for kindly supplying the Aldocorten used in these experiments.     

Use of three specific radioimmunoassays in measuring neurohypophysial hormone content and plasma concentrations of vasopressin, oxytocin and DDAVP in rats after prolonged infusion of DDAVP

Specific radioimmunoassays (RIA) were employed for measuring plasma and neurohypophysial concentrations of oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (AVP) after administration of 1-deamino-8-D-Arg-vasopressin (DDAVP). DDAVP concentrations were measured by a newly-developed specific RIA. Through the use of minipumps, DDAVP was infused i.p. over a period of 3 days in normally hydrated rats. Despite decreased urine production and increased urine osmolality no changes could be observed in neurohypophysial and plasma hormone concentrations.