Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ultrastructural study of the regressing prothoracic glands of blattarian insects

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

The prothoracic glands, source of the molting hormone ecdysone, regress within a few days after the final molt, a process which was analyzed with electron microscopic methods in the cockroaches Leucophaea and Blaberus. This strictly timed event is accompanied by drastic alterations in cellular fine structure. Early signs of breakdown appear in groups of nuclei whose substance becomes segregated into patches of contrasting electron density characteristic of pyknosis.

The most conspicuous change in the cytoplasm of parenchymal cells concerns the appearance of large, heterogeneous inclusion bodies in which various cellular elements become segregated. These compartments seem to represent autophagic vacuoles within which the gradual degradation of much of their contents takes place, presumably under the influence of lysosomal enzymes. Undigested swirls of membranous character may remain sequestered within these packets for some time.

At advanced stages of cellular atrophy, plasma membranes and nuclear envelopes have gradually disappeared, and masses of protoplasm undergoing autolysis become invaded by a greater number of hemocytes than are present in nymphal glands. These phagocytic elements appear to engulf debris of parenchymal cells as well as some degenerating connective tissue elements. After the completion of the regressive process, the axial band of musculature characteristic of the nymphal gland persists on its own. Whether or not some parenchymal cells (or possibly their precursors) capable of reactivation persist in the proximity of this muscle is unknown.

The resorption of the prothoracic gland in the newly emerged insect is the result of physiological autolysis and seems to be aided by the activity of phagocytic hemocytes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ashford, T. P., and K. R. Porter: Cytoplasmic components in hepatic cell lysosomes. J. Cell Biol. 12, 198–202 (1962).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bertolini, B.: The structure of the liver cells during the life cycle of a brook-lamprey (Lampetra zanandreai). Z. Zellforsch. 67, 297–318 (1965).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bonneville, M. A.: Fine structural changes in the intestinal epithelium of the bullfrog during metamorphosis. J. Cell Biol. 18, 579–597 (1963).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brandes, D., D. E. Buetow, F. Bertini, and D. B. Malkoff: Role of lysosomes in cellular lytic processes. I. Effect of carbon starvation in Euglena gracilis. Exp. molec. Path. 3, 583–609 (1964).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • - B. Schofield, and S. Barnard: Lysosomes and focal degradation during prostatic involution. Proceedings — 23rd Ann. Mtg. El. Micr. Soc. Am. August, 1965.

  • Deane, H. W., and S. Wurzelmann: Electron microscopic observations on the postnatal differentiation of the seminal vesicle epithelium of the laboratory mouse. Amer. J. Anat. 117, 91–133 (1965).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duve, C. de: From cytases to lysosomes. Fed. Proc. 23, 1045–1049 (1964).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, L. I.: Physiology of growth and developement: endocrine aspects. In: The physiology of insecta, edit. by M. Rockstein, vol. I. p. 148–225, 1964.

  • Hodgson, E. S., and S. Geldiay: Experimentally induced release of neurosecretory materials from roach corpora cardiaca. Biol. Bull. 117, 275–283 (1959).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lennep, E. W. van, and L. M. Madden: Electron microscopic observations on the involution of the human corpus luteum of menstruation. Z. Zellforsch. 66, 365–380 (1965).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Locke, M., and J. V. Collins: Structure and origin of cytolysomes in an insect. (Abstract). El. Micr. Soc. Am., 23rd Ann. Meeting, Proceedings, D 11, p. 8, 1965.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lockshin R. A., and C. M. Williams: Programmed cell death-II. Endocrine potentiation of the breakdown of the intersegmental muscles of silkmoths. J. Ins. Physiol. 10, 643–649.

  • Misch, D. W.: Electron microscope study of alterations in subcellular structure of metamorphosing insect intestinal cells. Anat. Rec. 151, 465–466 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Novikoff, A. B.: Lysosomes in the physiology and pathology of cells: contributions of staining methods. In: Lysosomes, ed. by A.V.S. de Rueck and M. P. Cameron. Ciba Found. Symp. pp. 36–77. Boston: Little, Brown & Co. 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  • —, and S. Goldfischer: Nucleosidediphosphate activity in the Golgi apparatus and its usefulness for cytological studies. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 47, 802–810 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Osinchak, J.: Electron microscopic localization of acid phosphatase and thiamine pyrophosphatase activity in hypothalamic neurosecretory cells of the rat. J. Cell Biol. 21, 35–47 (1964).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • —: The electron microscopic localization of acid phosphatase and thiamine pyrophosphatase activity in prothoracic glands of the insect Leucophaea maderae. Anat. Rec. 151, 395 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Reynolds, E. S.: The use of lead citrate at high pH as an electron-opaque stain in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 17, 208–212 (1963).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scharrer, B.: The prothoracic glands of Leucophaea maderae (Orthoptera). Biol. Bull. 95, 186–198 (1948).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Histophysiological studies on the corpus allatum of Leucophaea maderae. IV. Ultrastructure during normal activity cycle. Z. Zellforsch. 62, 125–148 (1964a).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • —: The fine structure of the blattarian prothoracic glands. Z. Zellforsch. 64, 301–326 (1964b).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • —: An ultrastructural study of cellular regression as exemplified by the prothoracic gland of Leucophaea maderae. Anat. Rec. 151, 411 (1965a).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Hemocytes within prothoracic glands of insects. Amer. Zool. 5, 235–236 (1965b).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Recent progress in the study of neuroendocrine mechanisms in insects. Arch. Anat. micr. 54, 331–342 (1965c).

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheib, D.: Structure fine du canal de Müller de l'embryon de Poulet: lésions cytoplasmiques du canal mâle en régression. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 260, 1252–1254 (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, R.: Ultrastructural changes in regressing tail muscles of Xenopus larvae at metamorphosis. J. Cell Biol. 22, 481–487 (1964).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, N.Y., USA

    Berta Scharrer

Authors
  1. Berta Scharrer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Dedicated to Professor W. Bargmann on his 60th birthday in friendship and admiration.

This study was supported by Research Grants AM-03984, NB-02145 and NB-05219 from the U.S.P.H.S.

I wish to express my thanks to Mrs. S. Wurzelmann, Mrs. C. Jones, Mrs. C. Grubman, and Mr. S. Brown for their excellent technical assistance.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Scharrer, B. Ultrastructural study of the regressing prothoracic glands of blattarian insects. Z.Zellforsch 69, 1–21 (1966). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00406264

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00406264

Keywords

Search

Navigation