Host plant stimulation of detoxifying enzymes in a phytophagous insect

The midgut microsomal aldrin epoxidase of variegated cutworm larvae (Peridroma saucia, Hübner) fed bean or peppermint leaves was up to 10 and 45 times more active, respectively, than that of larvae fed a basic control diet. Large increases in oxidase activity and cytochrome P-450 levels also occurred in larvae fed mint plant constituents such as menthol menthone, α-pinene, and β-pinene. Mint-fed larvae were more tolerant of the insecticide, carbaryl, than bean-fed larvae.     

Phenobarbital induction of detoxifying enzymes in resistant and susceptible houseflies

Houseflies, Musca domestica, L., were treated with the drugs phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene to study the effects of these compounds as inducing agents of the microsomal oxidases, heptachlor epoxidase, and p-nitroanisole O-demethylase, and of DDT-dehydrochlorinase. Phenobarbital was active when applied by injection or as part of the diet but inactive when topically applied. The resulting increases in heptachlor epoxidase activity were as much as 25-fold that of the untreated controls. The net increase in enzyme activity after phenobarbital treatment was greater in an insecticide-susceptible strain, WHO-SRS strain, than in a carbamate-resistant strain. However, the phenobarbital induced increases in DDT-dehydrochlorinase were greater, about 2-fold, in the resistant strains than in the susceptible strain.The optimum dose for phenobarbital was 1% in the diet for a period of 3 days. None of the treatments with 3-MC, feeding, injection, exposure to residues, or topical, were effective in induction.     

A trap perch for the control of the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae)

A method of controlling red mites by the use of a small amount of insecticide placed inside a hollow perch is described. 0.5 g. of 50 per cent Carbaryl (“Sevin”) wettable powder distributed along the inside of 2.1 m. trap perch controlled experimental infestations for up to 4 months.

This method of control is economical and protects the birds from unnecessary contamination with insecticide. Insecticides inside a trap perch are protected from conditions such as alkalinity which might otherwise lead to their inactivation. It is therefore suggested that insecticides used in this way may remain lethal to mites for a much longer time than if applied as a spray or dust to the inside surfaces of a poultry hut.     

Fibroblast growth factor-10 maintains the survival and promotes the growth of cultured goat preantral follicles

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of fibroblast growth factor-10 (FGF-10) on the survival, activation (transition from primordial to primary follicles), and growth of goat preantral follicles cultured in vitro. Pieces of ovarian cortex were cultured for 1 and 7 d in the absence or presence of FGF-10 (0, 1, 10, 50, 100, and 200 ng/mL). Noncultured and cultured tissues were processed and analyzed by histology, transmission electron microscopy, and viability testing. Results showed that after 7 d, a greater percentage (79.9%) of morphologically normal follicles (containing an oocyte with regular shape and uniform cytoplasm, and organized layers of granulosa cells without a pyknotic nucleus) was observed when cultured with 50 ng/mL of FGF-10 when compared with other concentrations of FGF-10 (0 ng/mL, 67.3%; 1 ng/mL, 68.2%; 10 ng/mL, 63.3%; 100 ng/mL, 64.4%; 200 ng/mL, 52.7%). Ultrastructural analyses and viability testing using fluorescent markers confirmed the follicular integrity of FGF-10 (50 ng/mL)-treated fragments after 7 d of culture. After 7 d, all FGF-10 concentrations reduced the percentage of primordial follicles and increased the percentage of developing follicles. In the presence of 50 ng/mL of FGF-10, follicles increased in diameter after 7 d of culture when compared with other concentrations tested. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that FGF-10 maintains the morphological integrity of goat preantral follicles and stimulates the growth of activated follicles in culture. The culture conditions identified here contribute to the understanding of the factors involved in goat early follicular development.