Summary
The corpora allata of the three last larval instars were studied in newly molted animals, at the beginning, middle, and end of the feeding period, and during the molt period. They were found to consist of uniform gland cells, whose ultrastructure changes in the course of the instars.
In gland cells considered to be resting, the outer and inner nuclear membranes run in parallel without forming a dilated perinuclear space. Mitochondria are small, polymorphic, with an electron-dense matrix. The smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) appears as stacks of parallel cisternae near the nuclear envelope and in the rest of the cytoplasm, and as accumulations of twisted profiles. Occasionally, the SER takes the form of paracrystalline bodies. There are few small smooth-surfaced vesicles in the cytoplasm.
In cells considered as active, a dilated perinuclear space occurs. The peripheral ends of profiles forming the SER are swollen, and numerous vesicles and vacuoles bud off from them to fill the cytoplasm. Mitochondria are large, with a more transparent matrix. The plasma membrane of gland cells located just beneath the connective tissue sheath forms numerous small invaginations.
The corpora allata consist of resting cells during the molt periods. At the beginning of each instar, few active gland cells appear. In the middle of the second to last and the third to last instars, the bulk of the gland cells is active. At the end of these instars, there are both active and inactive cells. In the middle of the last instar, the gland cells are inactive or subactive, and at its end, all gland cells are completely inactive.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aggarwal, S. K., King, R. C.: A comparative study of the ring glands from wild type and 1(2)gl mutant Drosophila melanogaster. J. Morph. 129, 171–200 (1969)
Aldrich, H. C., Vasil, I. K.: Ultrastructure of the postmeiotic nuclear envelope in microspores of Podocarpus macrophyllus. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 32, 307–315 (1970)
Baehr, J.-C., Cassier, P., Fain-Maurel, M.-A.: Contribution expérimentale et infrastructurale a l'étude de la dynamique du corpus allatum de Rhodnius prolixus Stål. Influence de la nutrition, de l'activité ovarienne, de la pars intercerebralis et de ses connections. Arch. Zool. exp. gén. 114, 611–626 (1973)
Bautz, A.-M., Lanot, R., Stephan, F.: Dégénérescence des cellules de l'épiderme abdominal larvaire chez Calliphora erythrocephala. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 277 D, 2189–2191 (1973)
Beaulaton, J.: Modifications ultrastructurales des cellules sécrétrices de la glande prothoracique de vers à soie au cours des deux derniers âges larvaire. I. Le chondriome et ses relations avec le réticulum agranulaire. J. Cell Biol. 39, 501–525 (1968)
Brousse-Gaury, P., Cassier, P., Fain-Maurel, M.-A.: Contribution expérimentale et infrastructurale à l'étude de la dynamique des corpora allata chez Blabera fusca. Influence du groupement visuel, des afférences ocsllaires et antennaires. Bull. biol. France Belg. 107, 143–169 (1973)
Cantacuzène, A. M., Lauverjat, S., Papillon, M.: Influence de la température d'élevage sur les caractères histologiques de l'appareil génital de Schistocerca gregaria. J. Insect Physiol. 18, 2077–2093 (1972)
Charpin, P.: Etude ultrastructurale des corps allates chez les femelles de Choleva cisteloides Fröl. (Coléoptères Catopidae de la sous-famille des Catopinae) au cours de la diapause ovarienne. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 277 D, 2181–2184 (1973)
Chenzov, Ju. S., Poljakov, V. Ju.: Nucleus ultrastructure. Moscow: Nauka. 1974
Deleurance, S., Charpin, P.: Sur les corps allates des Bathysciinae (Coléoptères cavernicoles). C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 273 D, 177–180 (1971)
Deleurance, S., Charpin, P.: Aspacts comparatifs des corps allates chez les Bathysciinae (Coléoptères cavernicoles). Imago. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 274 D, 405–408 (1972)
Dorn, A.: Electron microscopic study on the larval and adult corpus allatum of Oncopeltus fasciatus Dallas (Insecta, Heteroptera). Z. Zellforsch. 145, 447–458 (1973)
Douglas, W. W., Nagasawa, J.: Membrane vesiculation at sites of exocytosis in the neurohypophysis, adenohypophysis and adrenal medulla: a device for membrane conservation. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 218, 94–95 (1971)
Douglas, W. W., Nagasawa, J., Schulz, R. A.: Coated microvesicles in neurosecretory ter-minals of posterior pituitary glands shed their coats to become smooth “synaptic” vesicles. Nature (Lond.) 232, 340–341 (1971)
Fain-Maurel, M.-A., Cassier, P.: Etude infrastructurale des corpora allata de Locusta migratoria migratorioides (R. et F.), phase solitaire, au cours de la maturation sexuelle et descycles ovariens. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 268 D, 2721–2723 (1969a)
Fain-Maurel, M.-A., Cassier, P.: Pléomorphisme mitochondrial dans les corpora allata deLocusta migratoria migratorioides (R. et F.) au cours de la vie imaginale. Z. Zellforsch. 102, 543–553 (1969b)
Fukuda, S., Eguchi, G., Takeuchi, S.: Histological and electron microscopical studies on the sexual differences of the corpora allata of the moth of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Embryologia (Nagoya) 9, 123–158 (1966)
Girardie, J., Granier, S.: Ultrastructure des corps allátes d'Anacridium aegyptium (Insecte Orthoptère) à l'avant dernier stade larvaire et durant la vie imaginale. Arch. Anat. micr. Morph. exp. 63, 251–267 (1974)
Guelin, M., Darjo, A.: Etude ultrastructurale des corpora allata en relation avec le contrôle photopériodique de leur fonction gonadotrope chez Locusta migratoria migratoria L. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 278 D, 491–494 (1974)
Harrison, G. A.: Some observations on the presence of annulate lamellae in alligator and sea gull adrenal cortical cells. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 14, 158–166 (1966)
Hoffmann, J. A.: Les organes hématopoiétiques de deux insectes Orthoptères: Locusta migratoria et Gryllus bimaculatus. Z. Zellforsch. 106, 451–472 (1970)
Joly, L., Joly, P., Porte, A., Girardie, A.: Etude physiologique et ultrastructurale des corpora allata de Locusta migratoria L. (Orthoptère) en phase grégaire. Arch. Zool. exp. gén. 109, 703–728 (1968)
Joly, L., Porte, A., Girardie, A.: Caractères ultrastructuraux des corpora allata actifs et inactifs chez Locusta migratoria. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 265 D, 1633–1635 (1967)
Kilby, B. A.: The biochemistry of the insect fat body. In: Advances in insect physiology, vol. 1; (Beament, J. W. L., Treherne, J. E., and Wigglesworth, V. B. eds.),p. 112–174. London and New York: Academic Press 1963
King, R. C., Aggarwal, S. K., Bodenstein, D.: The comparative submicroscopic cytology of the corpus allatum-corpus cardiacum complex of wild type and “fes” adult female Drosophila melanogaster. J. exp. Zool. 161, 151–175 (1966)
Kümmel, G.: Zur Feinstruktur der Corpora allata von Chironomus. Zool. Anz. Suppl. 32, 123–135 (1969)
Morohoshi, S., Ishida, S., Shimada, J.: The control of growth and development in Bombyx moni. XVII. Bioassay for synthetic juvenile hormones and function of the brain and corpora allata during the fifth instar. Proc. Jap. Acad. 48, pp730–735 (1972)
Nagasawa, J., Douglas, W. W.: Thorium dioxide uptake into adrenal medullary cells and the problem of recapture of granule membrane following exocytosis. Brain Res. 37|, 141–145 (1973)
Nijhout, H. F., Williams, C. M.: Control of molting and metamorphosis in the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta (L.). Cessation of juvenile hormone secretion as a trigger for pupation. J. exp. Biol. 61, 493–501 (1974)
Odhiambo, T. R.: The fine structure of the corpus allatum of the sexually mature male of the desert locust. J. Insect Physiol. 12 819–828 (1966a)
Odhiambo, T. R.: Ultrastructure of the development of the corpus allatum in the adult male of the desert locust. J. Insect Physiol. 12, 995–1002 (1966b)
Panov, A. A., Bassurmanova, O. K.: Fine structure of the gland cells in inactive and active corpus allatum of the bug, Eurygaster integriceps. J. Insect Physiol. 16, 1265–1283 (1970)
Patel, N., Madhavan, K.: Effects of hormones on RNA and protein synthesis in the imaginaiwing discs of the ricini silkworm. J. Insect. Physiol. 15, 2141–2150 (1969)
Pipa, R. L.: Neuroendocrine involvement in the delayed pupation of space-deprived Galleria mellonella (Lepideptera). J. Insect Physiol. 17, 2441–2450 (1971)
Poletti, H. M., Castellano, M. A.: Role of the nuclear membrane in smooth endoplasmic reticulum formation in white rat pinealocytes. Experientia (Basel) 23, 465 (1967)
Riddiford, L. M., Ajami, A. M.: Juvenile hormone: its assay and effects on pupae of Manduca sexta. J. Insect Physiol. 19, 749–762 (1973)
Rinterknecht, E., Perolini, M., Porte, A., Joly, P.: Sur les variations ultrastructurales des oenocytes au cours du cycle des mues et après ablation des glandes prothoraciques chez Locusta migratoria. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 276 D, 2827–2830 (1973)
Romer, F.: Die Prothorakaldrüsen der Larve von Tenebrio molitor L. (Tenebrionidae, Coleoptera) und ihre Veränderungen während eines Häutungszyklus. Z. Zellforsch. 122, 425–455 (1971)
Scharrer, B.: Histophysiological studies on the corpus allatum of Leucophaca maderae. IV. Ultrastructure during normal activity cycle. Z. Zellforsch. 62, 125–148 (1964)
Scharrer, B.: Histophysiological studies on the corpus allatum of Leucophaea maderae. V. Ultrastructure of sites of origin and release of a distinctive cellular product. Z. Zellforsch. 120, 1–16 (1971)
Schultz, R. L.: Electron microscopic observations of the corpora allata and associated nerves in the moth Celerio lineata. J. Ultrastruct. Res. 3, 320–327 (1960)
Smith, D. S.: Insect cells. Their structure and functions. Edinburgh: Oliver & Boyd 1968
Thomsen, E., Thomsen, M.: Fine structure of the corpus allatum of the female blow-fly, Calliphora erythrocephala. Z. Zellforsch. 110, 40–60 (1970)
Tobe, S. S., Pratt, G. E.: Dependence of juvenile hormone release from corpus allatum on intraglandular content. Nature (Lond.) 252, 474–476 (1974)
Tombes, A. S., Smith, D. S.: Ultrastructural studies on the corpora cardiaca-allata complex of the adult alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica. J. Morph. 132, 137–148 (1970)
Tombes, A. S., Smith, D. S.: Ultrastructural studies on the corpora cardiaca-allata complex of active and diapausing alfalfa weevil Hypera postica (Gyllenhal) adults. In: Insect Endocrines III; Novak, V. J. A., and Slama, K. eds., p. 113–121. Praha: Academia 1972
Truman, J. W.: Physiology of insect rhythms. I. Circadian organization of the endocrine events underlying the molting cycle of larval tobacco hornworms. J. exp. Biol. 57, 805–820 (1972)
Waku, Y., Gilbert, L. I.: The corpora allata of the silkworm Hyalophora cecropia: an ultrastructural study. J. Morph. 115, 69–96 (1964)
White, M. R., Amborski, R. L., Hammond, A. M., Amborski, G. F.: Ultrastructural changes associated with pheromone production in the sex pheromone gland of Diatraea saccharalis. J. Insect Physiol. 19, 1933–1940 (1973)
Wilde de, J., Kort de, C. A. D., Loof de, A.: The significance of juvenile hormone titres. Mitt. Schweiz, entomol. Ges. 44, 79–86 (1971)
Williams, C. M.: The juvenile hormone. II. Its role in the endocrine control of molting, pupation and adult development in the Cecropia silkworm. Biol. Bull. 121, 572–585 (1961)
Wirtz, P.: Differentiation in the honeybee larva. A histological, electron-microscopical and physiological study of caste induction in Apis mellifera mellifera L. Meded. Landbouw. Wageningen 73, 1–155 (1973)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Melnikova, E.J., Panov, A.A. Ultrastructure of the larval corpus allatum of Hyphantria cunea drury (Insecta, Lepidoptera). Cell Tissue Res. 162, 395–410 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00220186
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00220186