COMPARATIVE NEUROENDOCRINE CONTROL OF REPRODUCTION IN MOTHS

这项研究的长期目标是调查 比较神经内分泌对成虫繁殖的调节。这个 这项建议的具体目的是研究神经激素 绿色日光夜蛾繁殖的调节和试验 处女体内内源性保幼激素(JH)的假说 并从男性身上获得了一种增强生育能力的因素 提高交配雌性的繁殖力。为了测试这一点 假设本项目主要集中在以下几个方面：(1) 唇状体血淋巴JH效价和生物合成能力的测定 (2)测定JH-酯酶水平 处女和交配的雌性；(3)确定男性生殖系统 产生一种可提取的、提高生育能力的因子；(4)确定 雄性CA和副腺产生JH的能力和测定JH-酸的能力 这些器官中的甲基转移酶；(5)确定JH是否来自男性 生殖系统转移到雌性身上；(6)确定卵子 与正常雄性交配的雌性和那些没有睾丸的雌性发育， 附腺或整个生殖系统；(7)确定 雌性腹神经索和CA在交配后的作用 促性腺激素；及(8)让两名本科生参与 规划、设计和实施这个项目的各个方面 项目。该项目将与以下机构密切合作实施 S.B.Ramaswamy博士，密西西比州昆虫学教授 大学，它不仅将提供技术帮助，而且还同意 允许调查员和他的学生使用他的实验室 设施。

The long term objective of this research is to investigate the comparative neuro-endicrine regulation of reproduction in moths. The specific aim of this proposal is to investigate the neuro-hormonal regulation of reproduction in Heliothis virescens and to test the hypothesis that endogenous juvenile hormone (JH) in virgin females declines and that a fecundity enhancing factor is derived from males enhances female fecundity in mated females. In order to test this hypothesis this project specifically focuses on the following: (1) to measure hemolymph JH titers and biosynthetic ability of corpora allata (CA) from virgin and mated females; (2) to measure levels of JH-esterase in virgin and mated females; (3) to determine if male reproductive system produces an extractable, fecundity enhancing factor; (4) to determine the ability of male CA and accessory glands to produce JH and measure JH-acid methyltransferase in these organs; (5) to determine whether JH from male reproductive system is transferred to female; (6) to determine egg development in females mated to normal males and those lacking testes, accessory glands, or the entire reproductive system; (7) to determine the role of the female's ventral nerve cord and CA in post-mating gonadotropism; and (8) to involve 2 undergraduate students in the planning, design and implementation of the various aspects of this project. This project will be implemented in close collaboration with Dr. S.B. Ramaswamy, Professor of Entomology, Mississippi State University, who will not only provide technical help but has also agreed to allow the investigator and his students the use of his laboratory facility.