title: Ultrastructural changes in the abdominal midgut of the mosquito, Culiseta melanura, during the gonotrophic cycle.
abstract: Abdominal midguts of the mosquito, Culiseta melanura, were examined by light and electron microscopy 1 hr-14 days days after blood feeding. Epithelial cells were drastically altered from columnar to squamous in form after engorgement, and returned to columnar by day 4 after feeding. Accumulation of mitochondria along brush borders of digestive cells, followed by the appearance of large secondary lysosomes, accompanied blood digestion. Evidence was obtained that myelin-like material in the lysosomes, probably the result of mitochondrial autolysis, is extruded into the lumen. Digestive cells resumed their pre-blood meal appearance by 10-14 days post-engorgement. Regenerative cells were scattered throughout the basal portion of the epithelium, along with endocrine cells. Other midgut cells containing large, microvilli-lined apical cavities were identified in most specimens. No evidence of division or differentiation was obtained for any cell types.
authors.affiliation: Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park 20742.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Weaver
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D009033:Culicidae / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004064:Digestive System / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D004848:Epithelium / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008247:Lysosomes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008871:Microvilli / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013997:Time Factors