title: Effects of flucycloxuron, a chitin synthesis inhibitor, on reproductive events and thickness of chorion in mealworms.
abstract: Flucycloxuron (FCX), a benzoylphenylurea derivative, was evaluated on Tenebrio molitor. The compound was incorporated into the diet and administrated to newly emerged females at various doses (2, 5 and 10 mg/kg). FCX was found to affect several reproductive events such as the duration of preovipostion and oviposition period, the fecundity, the viability of eggs and the duration of embryonic development, respectively. Morphological study of ovaries showed that FCX reduced both oocytes number, the ovaries weight and the size and the volume of the basal oocyte during the sexual maturation. In addition, it reduced the thickness of chorion from freshly laid eggs. However, electron microscopic study revealed that this compound had no significant effect on the fine structure of chorion. Finally, measurements of ovarian ecdysteroids production by an enzyme immunoassay indicated a reduction in the hormonal amounts recorded.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Biologie Animale Appliquée, Faculté des Sciences, Département de Biologie, Université d'Annaba 23000-Annaba, Algérie.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hami
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Taibi
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Soltani-Mazouni
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002686:Chitin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002823:Chorion / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects; D010058:Oviposition / Q000187:drug effects; D010063:Ovum / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D013712:Tenebrio / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D010671:Phenylurea Compounds; D002686:Chitin; C499258:flucycloxuron