ANDROGENS AND ESTROGENS IN INSECTS

这项研究的目的是从化学上鉴定雄激素和 研究昆虫中存在的雌激素并确定它们的生理作用(S)。燃气 将用气相色谱-质谱法测定该化学物质 类固醇的身份。肉蝇(Sarcophaga)的各种组织 将分析是否存在雄激素和雌激素 使用放射性配基结合实验的受体。类固醇前体 雄激素和雌激素将通过追踪 放射性标记化合物，如胆固醇。酶的性质 我们将检测芳香酶，并将其与哺乳动物的酶进行比较。这个 雄激素和雌激素的来源将通过测量类固醇来确定 在选定的组织中的水平和通过监测体外释放 将雄激素和雌激素放入培养基中。内源性水平 肉蝇体内的雄激素和雌激素将作为一种 发育阶段、年龄、性别、交配状态、滞育和 昼夜节律时间。外源性雄激素和雌激素治疗高血压的疗效观察 改变性别比例、交配行为、卵子成熟和存活将是 测试过。神经内分泌系统和性腺在调节中的作用 血淋巴雄激素和雌激素水平将通过手术进行评估 精选器官摘除及外源性蜕皮激素的应用 保幼激素类似物。 昆虫中雄激素和雌激素的发现引入了一个新的类别 可能在昆虫发育和发育中发挥重要作用的化合物 繁殖，因此可以加强控制害虫的战略 物种。

The objective of the research is to chemically identify the androgens and estrogens present in insects and to define their physiologic role(s). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry will be used to determine the chemical identity of the steroids. Various tissues from flesh flies (Sarcophaga bullata) will be analyzed for the presence of androgen and estrogen receptors using radioligand binding experiments. Steroidal precursors of the androgens and estrogens will be identified by tracing the fate of radiolabeled compounds such as cholesterol. Properties of the enzyme aromatase will be examined and compared to the mammalian enzyme. The source of androgens and estrogens will be determined by measuring steroid levels in select tissues and by monitoring in vitro the release of androgens and estrogens into culture medium. Endogenous levels of androgens and estrogens in flesh flies will be monitored by RIA as a function of developmental stage, age, sex, mating status, diapause, and circadian time. The efficacy of exogenous androgens and estrogens in altering sex ratios, mating behavior, egg maturation, and survival will be tested. The role of the neuroendocrine system and gonads in regulating hemolymph androgen and estrogen levels will be evaluated by surgical extirpation of select organs and application of exogenous ecdysteroids and juvenile hormone analogs. The discovery of andronges and estrogens in insects introduces a new class of compounds that may play important roles in insect development and reproduction and may thus augment strategies for the control of pest species.