title: Ecdysteroid titer and oocyte growth in the northern house mosquito, Culex pipiens L.
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Baldridge
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Feyereisen
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D003465:Culex / Q000254:growth & development*; D004440:Ecdysone / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D009865:Oocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004440:Ecdysone