title: The ovary as a source of alpha-ecdysone in an adult mosquito.
abstract: The ovaries of the mosquito Aedes aegypti cultured in vitro secrete material that behaves like ecdysone in a radioimmunoassay. The material was identified as alpha-ecdysone by high-resolution liquid and gas-liquid chromatography. Secretion reached a maximum 16 hr after a blood meal as shown by bioassay and direct determination. Ovariectomy reduced the concentration of ecdysone in the adult after a blood meal. Qualitative analysis of whole-body extracts indicated beta-ecdysone to be the principal species present. Thus the ovaries appear to secrete a prohormone, alpha-ecdysone, which is converted to beta-ecdysone. Beta-ecdysone plays a significant role in stimulating egg development in the adult mosquito and may have reproductive roles in other insects.
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000330:Aedes; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet; D004440:Ecdysone / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004440:Ecdysone