title: The effects of precocene treatment on egg wax production in Gené's organ and egg viability in the cattle tick Boophilus microplus (Acarina Ixodidae): an ultrastructural study.
abstract: Wax synthesis by Gené's organ, the egg waxing organ of ticks, is by precocene treatment of engorged female Boophilus microplus, resulting in desiccated nonviable eggs due to the absence of a waterproofing wax layer. Electron microscopy shows that precocene has a destructive effect on the glandular cells of Gené's organ. The precocene also inhibited in vitro wax synthesis by the gland cells, indicating a selective cytotoxic effect. Oogenesis and oviposition were otherwise unaffected, also suggesting that precocene affects the gland cells directly, rather than indirectly by antagonism of juvenile hormone.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Thames Polytechnic, London, Great Britain.
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Booth
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Beadle
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hart
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000818:Animals; D001578:Benzopyrans / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide; D005260:Female; D007267:Injections; D007306:Insecticides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010058:Oviposition / Q000187:drug effects; D010063:Ovum / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010944:Plants; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D013987:Ticks / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014885:Waxes / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001578:Benzopyrans; D007306:Insecticides; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D014885:Waxes; C014163:precocene II; C036585:juvenile hormone III; D004121:Dimethyl Sulfoxide