title: The effects of acute exposure to magnetic fields on morphometric characteristics of bombyxin-producing neurosecretory neurons in gypsy moth caterpillars.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effects of acute exposure to strong static magnetic fields and extremely low frequency magnetic fields, on neurosecretory neurons which synthesise insulin-like neurohormone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunocytochemical detection of bombyxin-like material in the protocerebral neurosecretory neurons of Lymantria dispar caterpillars was performed using a monoclonal antibody directed against a synthetic dekapeptide corresponding to the N-terminus of the bombyxin A-chain. Caterpillars were exposed to strong static magnetic fileds (235 mT) and extremely low frequency magnetic fields (2 mT) for three days after moulting into the 4th instar.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We report the presence of immunoreactive molecules in A2 type of medial neurosecretory neurons (nsn) in caterpillars' brain of L. dispar. The three-day exposure of caterpillars to stresogenic external magnetic fields changed the size of A2 type nsn, their nuclei and the intensity of protein band in the region of bombyxin molecular mass (4-6 kD) after exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields in comparison to control group and group treated by strong static magnetic fields.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These are the first data on the influence of external magnetic fields on the polyphagous phytophagous forest pest L. dispar L. (Lepidoptera: Lymantridae) indicating an intensive synthesis of insulin-like neurosecretory material.
authors.affiliation: Department of Insect Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Belgrade, Institute for Biological Research Siniša Stanković, Belgrade, Serbia. lararid@ibiss.bg.ac.rs
authors.forename: Larisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ilijin
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vlahović
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mrdaković
authors.forename: Dejan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mirčić
authors.forename: Zlatko
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Prolić
authors.forename: Jelica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lazarević
authors.forename: Vesna
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Perić-Mataruga
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D002118:Calcium / Q000737:chemistry; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D006728:Hormones / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D009036:Moths; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D010455:Peptides / Q000737:chemistry; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006728:Hormones; D009479:Neuropeptides; D010455:Peptides; C075028:bombyxins; D002118:Calcium