An analytical study of the neurosecretory cells of the brain inPhilosamia ricini (Hutt.) (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) during post-embryonic development

Summary A multiplicity of types of neurosecretory cell (NSC), and uniformity in the numbers occurring in medial, lateral, posterior and tritocerebral groups, have been observed inP. ricini. 3 types of cells A, B and C, with their subtypes (A-1, A-2, A-3; B-1, B-2; C-1 and C-2) have been reported. Only B-cells increase in numbers during post-embryonic development. Others (A and C) remain constant throughout development. Abnormal staining behaviour of A-cells has also been reported.Acknowledgements. We are grateful to Prof. S.D. Misra for the facilities and to the UGC, New Delhi, for sanctioning a grant No. F. 23-781/78 (SR II) dated 27.4.78 to Dr V.B. Awasthi, which is gratefully acknowledged.     

Tissue specific biochemical alterations during spinning in the eri-silkworm,Philosamia ricini

Summary Protein, total free amino acid and RNA accumulated in the silk gland of eri-silkworm decrease drastically within 2–4 days of spinning. In contrast, the fatbody presents an augmentation of total protein concentration towards the end of the spinning process. The hemolymph maintains constancy of these molecules with little variation.Acknowledgment. The authors are thankful to Dr R. N. Singh, Principal, for providing necessary facilities, to Dr A. B. Das, Prof. and Head of Zoology Dept Visvabharti University for valuable suggestions and to Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India, for financial assistance.     

Peroxidase uptake by the fat body of a millipedeSpirostreptus asthenes (diplopoda,myriapoda)

Résumé On a observé chez un mille-pattes (Spirostreptus asthenes) que la péroxidase injectée dans le sang a été trouvée plus tard dans le corps gras, ce qui suggère que celui ci est capable d'isoler la protéine du sang.

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I am thankful to Prof. Dr.G. Krishnan for guidance and helpful criticism. I am greatly indebted to Dr.Locke, Case Western Reserve University, USA, for the gift of horse radish peroxidase and for independent verification of the results.     

Free amino acids in the haemolymph ofEoperipatur weldoni (onychophora)

Zusammenfassung Mit der Methodk nach Folin und Spackmann wurden die Freien Aminosäuren in der Hämolymphe vonEoperipatus weldoni festgestellt und in ihrer Gesamtkonzentration mit den Aminosären der Myriapoden und primitiven hemimetabolischen Insekten vergleichbar gefunden.

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Acknowledgments. We thank Mr.Manmohan Singh of Batu Satu, Malaysia, for the collection of animals used in this study. We are grateful to Dr.G. Krishnan for helpful crticism.     

Effect of various factors on the activity of trehalase from the larvae ofSesamia inferens walker (Insecta)

Summary Trehalase from the salivary glands and the midgut ofSesamia inferens showed optimum activity at pH 5.8, and at temperatures of 50 and 60°C respectively. The increase in the incubation period, enzyme concentration, and substrate concentration respectively increased the end-product, the hydrolysis, and the rate of hydrolysis of the substrate. Dialysis did not affect, tryptophan accelerated, and other amino acids and end-product inhibited the enzyme activity.The author wishes to express his thanks to ProfessorR. Rakshpal for his constructive criticism, and to University Grants Commission, India, for awarding a Junior Research Fellowship.     

Changes in protein-calcium association during different hours of a day in the haemolymph of the crabScylla serrata (Forskal)

Summary InScylla serrata, the haemolymph free calcium and bound calcium showed fluctuations during the different hours of the day. Whenever bound calcium decreased or increased in the haemolymph, the free calcium increased or decreased respectively; the significance of this is discussed. Besides, the suitability and reliability of Webster's chloranilic acid method, compared with other methods for the determination of haemolymph free and bound calcium, are empirically assessed.     

Effect of adrenalectomy and diet on the activity ofβ-galactosidase in the small intestine during the postnatal development of the rat

Zusammenfassung Die-Galaktosidaseaktivität im Rattendünndarm nimmt nachgeburtlich zwischen dem 15. und 20. Tag ab. Wird am 15. Tag adrenalektomiert oder wird Laktosediät verabreicht, so erhöht sich die-Galaktosidaseaktivität am 19. Tag um den mehrfachen Betrag als bei den Kontrollratten.     

Significance of the variation in haemolymph copper-protein ratio in the crabScylla serrata (Forskal) during different hours of the day

Summary InScylla serrata, haemolymph copper is bound to protein and it can be more reliably determined by the 2,2 biquinoline method than by other spectrophotometric methods. Ionic or free copper is absent from the haemolymph. The lack of significant time-of-day variation in copper concentration and the occurrence of variation in total protein concentration and copper-protein ratio, indicate fluctuations in copper-free proteins, which may either be periodically sequestered or released by the tissues during different hours of the day.     

Some metabolic disorders affecting the carotenoid-linked haemolymph proteins inRhynchosciara americana (Diptera,Sciaridae)

Summary Disorders in the carotenoid metabolism are proposed to explain the absence of the yellow and violet or only the violet carotenoid-linked proteins from the haemolymph of someR. americana larvae. The lack of only the yellow chromoprotein is considered to be due to a failure in the biosynthesis of its apoprotein.Supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) and Conselho Nacional de Pesquisas (CNP_q). W.R.T. and A.G. de B. are indebted to Prof.F. J. S. Lara for advice, encouragement and for laboratory facilities. We thank Mr.A. Malavasi for collecting larvae in nature, Mrs.R. M. Zanelato for larvae culture and MissI. L. Jorge for typing.     

Variation in the specific activity of intestinal DNA in Alytes obstetricians larvae (Amphibia, Anura) treated with thyroxine]

Treatment by thyroxine modified the specific activity of intestianl DNA in premetamorphic Alytes tadpoles. The activity decreased up to the 3rd day, and showed afterwards a peak which culminates on the 9th day. These results have been discussed in comparison with previous radioautographic observations.