Summary
The central fat body of the ovoviviparous cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea was studied during the first reproductive cycle of the female by means of light microscopy, autoradiography and electron microscopy. Comparative studies in larval stages were also undertaken. The fat body of Nauphoeta contains a large amount of lipid droplets and the remaining cytoplasm is very scarce. The cytological cyclicity of the fat body is consistent with the known biochemical rhythms of vitellogenin production. The proteosynthetic apparatus appears about 3 days after imaginal ecdysis, along with vitellogenin. The ribosomal endoplasmic reticulum (RER) shows a tremendous increase by the 7th day of the first cycle. The most active period of vitellogenin production lasts from day 7 to day 12. The proteosynthetic apparatus then returns to an inactive stage and disappears. This inactive condition lasts to the end of the gestation period. The autoradiographic results are consistent with the cytological features.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Brookes, V.J.: The induction of yolk synthesis in the fat body of an insect, Leucophaea maderae, by an analog of the juvenile hormone. Develop. Biol. 20, 459–471 (1969)
Bursell, E.: The excretion of nitrogen in insects. Adv. Insect Physiol. 4, 33–67 (1967)
Cölln, K.: Ueber die Metamorphose der Proteinspektren von Hämolymphe und Fettkörper bei Ephestia kühniella Z. Wilhelm Roux' Archiv. 172, 231–257 (1973)
Engelmann, F., Hill, L., Wilkens, J.L.: Juvenile hormone control of female specific protein synthesis in Leucophaea maderae, Schistocerca vaga and Sarcophaga bullata. J. Insect Physiol. 17, 2179–2191 (1971)
Engels, W.: Quantitative Untersuchungen zum Dotterprotein-Haushalt der Honigbiene (Apis mellifica). Z. Zellforsch. 142, 409–430 (1972)
Fallon, A.M., Hagedorn, H.H., Wyatt, G.R., Laufer, H.: Activation of vitellogenin synthesis in the mosquito Aedes aegypti by ecdysone. J. Insect Physiol. 20, 1815–1824 (1974)
Gharagozlou, I.D.: Localisation d'activité lytique dans le tissu adipeux de Periplaneta americana. J. Microsc. (Paris) 73, 281–284 (1972)
Gier, H.T.: The morphology and behavior of the intracellular bacteroids of roaches. Biol. Bull. 71, 433–452 (1936)
Hagedorn, H.H., Judson, C.L.: Purification and site of synthesis of Aedes aegypti yolk proteins. J. exp. Zool. 182, 367–377 (1972)
Korner, H.K.: Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen am embryonalen Mycetom der Kleinzykade Euscelis plebejus Fall. (Hom. Cicadina). I. Die Feinstruktur des α-Symbionten. Z. Parasitenk. 40, 203–226 (1972)
Liu, T.P., Davies, D.M.: Fine structure of frozen etched lipid granules in fat body of an insect. J. Lipid Res. 13, 115–118 (1972)
Locke, M., Collins, J.V.: The structure and formation of protein granules in the fat body of an insect. J. Cell Biol. 26, 857–884 (1965)
Locke, M., Collins, J.V.: Protein uptake into multivesicular bodies and storage granules in the fat body of an insect. J. Cell Biol. 36, 453–482 (1968)
Lüscher, M.: Hormonal control of respiration and protein synthesis in the fat body of the cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea during oöcyte growth. J. Insect Physiol. 14, 499–511 (1968)
Lüscher, M., Wyss-Huber, M.: Die Adenosin-Nukleotide im Fettkörper des adulten Weibchens von Leucophaea maderae im Laufe des Sexualzyklus. Rev. suisse Zool. 71, 183–194 (1964)
Luft, J.H.: Improvements in epoxy resin embedding methods. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 9, 409–414 (1961)
Pan, M.L., Bell, W.J., Telfer, W.H.: Vitellogenic blood protein synthesis by insect fat body. Science 165, 393–394 (1969)
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)
Sarojini, S., Chakko, T.V.: Histochemical studies on the nature of fat body lipids in relation to ovarian cycle in the viviparous cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea. Indian J. exp. Biol. 12, 93–95 (1974)
Scheurer, R.: Endocrine control of protein synthesis during oöcyte maturation in the cockroach Leucophaea maderae. J. Insect Physiol. 15, 1411–1419 (1969)
Scheurer, R., Lüscher, M.: Nachweis der Synthese eines Dotterproteins unter dem Einfluss der Corpora allata bei Leucophaea maderae. Rev. suisse Zool. 75, 715–722 (1968)
Sohal, R.S.: Fine structural alterations with age in the fat body of the adult male housefly, Musca domestica. Z. Zellforsch. 140, 169–175 (1973)
Srivastava, P.N., Gupta, P.D.: Excretion of uric acid in Periplaneta americana L. J. Insect Physiol. 6, 163–167 (1960)
Stay, B., Clark, J.K.: Fluctuation of protein granules in the fat body of the viviparous cockroach, Diploptera punctata, during the reproductive cycle. J. Insect Physiol. 17, 1747–1762 (1971)
Thomsen, E., Thomsen, M.: Fine structure of the fat body of the female Calliphora erythrocephala during the first egg-maturation cycle. Cell Tiss. Res. 152, 193–219 (1974)
Wüest, J.: Etude histologique et cytologique du premier cycle de reproduction au niveau de l'ovaire chez Nauphoeta cinerea (Blattaria, Oxyhaloidea). (En préparation)
Wyss-Huber, M., Lüscher, M.: In vitro synthesis and release of proteins by fat body and ovarian tissue of Leucophaea maderae during the sexual cycle. J. Insect Physiol. 18, 689–711 (1972)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Work carried out under the scientific direction of Prof. M. Lüscher of the University of Bern and supported in part by a grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation (No 3. 633.71).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wüest, J. Histological and cytological studies on the fat body of the cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea during the first reproductive cycle. Cell Tissue Res. 188, 481–490 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219785
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00219785