The effect of invertebrate hormones and potential hormone inhibitors on the third larval moult of the filarial nematode, Dirofilaria immitis, in vitro.
The effects of the insect hormones, ecdysone and 20-hydroxyecdysone, certain non-steroidal ecdysteroid agonists (RH compounds) and the inhibitor, azadirachtin, on the timing of the 3rd-stage moult of Dirofilaria immitis were investigated. 20-Hydroxyecdysone and RH 5849 when used at a concentration of 10(-5) M, resulted in a premature timing of this moult. Azadiracthin, at a similar concentration, prevented moulting of most of the larvae to the 4th stage. The results are discussed in relation to the possibility of a hormonal role for ecdysteroids and neuropeptide-like compounds in the control of ecdysis in filarial nematodes, that maybe somewhat comparable to the system which is found in insects.
Warbrick
E V
EV
Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.
Barker
G C
GC
Rees
H H
HH
Howells
R E
RE
D000330:Aedes / Q000469:parasitology; D000818:Animals; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D004440:Ecdysone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004441:Ecdysterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D006834:Hydrazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D007301:Insect Hormones / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects; D036701:Limonins; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological / Q000187:drug effects; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology
D006834:Hydrazines; D007301:Insect Hormones; D007306:Insecticides; D036701:Limonins; D014315:Triterpenes; C056565:1,2-dibenzoyl-tert-butylhydrazine; D004440:Ecdysone; D004441:Ecdysterone; C010329:azadirachtin