Uptake and metabolism of [3H]ecdysone in cultured ovaries of the silkworm, Bombyx mori.
Uptake of ecdysone by ovaries of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, was studied by organ culture. [3H]Ecdysone was transported almost linearly into the ovary for up to 3 h of the incubation. The uptake was proportional to the concentration of the labeled ecdysone, unsaturably, at concentrations ranging up to 10(-6) M. Ecdysone which had been transported into the ovary could usually be removed when the ovary was re-transferred to the ecdysone-free medium. Analysis of the transported compounds by thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed the marked conversion of ecdysone into 20-hydroxyecdysone, unknown metabolites and conjugated forms. Physiological significance of the metabolic activity of the ovary is discussed with respect to the accumulation of ecdysteroids in the ovary.
D000818:Animals; D001692:Biological Transport; D012831:Bombyx / Q000378:metabolism*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004440:Ecdysone / Q000378:metabolism*; D004441:Ecdysterone / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007700:Kinetics; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism
D004440:Ecdysone; D004441:Ecdysterone