Ixodes dammini: evidence for salivary prostacyclin secretion.
Pilocarpine-induced saliva of adult Ixodes dammini ticks contained abundant amounts (523 +/- 140 ng/ml, mean +/- SE, n = 14) of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, the stable degradation product of prostacyclin. This prostaglandin was identified by radioimmunoassay and reversed-phase chromatography. This activity may help tick feeding by preventing host hemostatic reactions, by increasing host blood flow at the tick feeding site, and by preventing leukocyte degranulation.
Ribeiro
J M
JM
Department of Tropical Public Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
Makoul
G T
GT
Robinson
D R
DR
D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000032:analysis; D011464:Epoprostenol / Q000378:metabolism*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012463:Saliva / Q000032:analysis; D013987:Ticks / Q000378:metabolism*
D015121:6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; D011464:Epoprostenol; D015232:Dinoprostone