Ecdysteroid titer and oocyte growth in the northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens L.
In an anautogenous strain of the northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens, the ovaries reached the resting stage (follicle length = 90 microns) three days after adult emergence. Follicle length increased from 90 to 550 microns between 0 and 60 hr after a blood meal. Total ecdysteroids reached a peak at 400 fmol/insect at 36 hr after a blood meal then declined rapidly. The ratio of 20-hydroxyecdysone to ecdysone increased in conjunction with the total ecdysteroid level. Oocyte growth beyond the resting stage and initiation of vitellogenesis was dependent on a head factor which was released within 4-8 min of the start of the blood meal.
Baldridge
G D
GD
Feyereisen
R
R
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D003465:Culex / Q000254:growth & development*; D004440:Ecdysone / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology
D004440:Ecdysone