Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fine structure of the corpus allatum of the female blow-fly Calliphora erythrocephala

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und Mikroskopische Anatomie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

An electron microscopical study of the corpus allatum (CA) of the adult female Calliphora was undertaken.

The cells have a very irregular shape. Light and dark cells are found. Mitochondria occur in great numbers. Microtubules are frequently observed. Free ribosomes are plenty, but rough-surfaced reticulum is scarce. Golgi complexes are not very conspicuous. Axons, mostly containing neurosecretory granules, are frequently found between the cells.

The active corpus allatum is remarkable by the numerous lipid droplets and the abundance of tubular agranular reticulum. The reticulum sometimes forms aggregates from which vacuoles are budded off. The vacuoles lose their membrane, at the same time becoming slightly electron opaque, thus being transformed into lipid droplets.

It is tentatively postulated that the hormone (or a precursor) is synthesized in the tubules of the agranular reticulum, collected in the vacuoles, and, when the membrane disintegrates, it is dissolved in lipid. The lipid droplets are thought to be released into the haemolymph through the surface of the gland or via intercellular channels.

The inactive corpus allatum of the six days old sugar fed flies is small and more or less shrunken. The agranular reticulum is poorly developed, vacuoles are small, and lipid droplets few. The reticulum tends to form whorls, which eventually may possibly be transformed into myelin figures.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Aggarwal, S. K., King, B. C.: A comparative study of the ring glands from wild type and 1(2) gl mutant Drosophila melanogaster. J. Morph. 129, 171–200 (1969).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bloch, B., Thomsen, E., Thomsen, M.: The neurosecretory system of the adult Calliphora erythrocephala. III. Electron microscopy of the medial neurosecretory cells of the brain and some adjacent cells. Z. Zellforsch. 70, 185–208 (1966).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fain-Maurel, M. A., Cassier, P.: Étude infrastructurale des corpora allata de Locusta migratoria migratorioides (R. et F.), phase solitaire, au cours de la maturation sexuelle et des cycles ovariens. C. R. Acad. Sci. (Paris) 268, Sér. D, 2721–2723 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fukuda, S., Eguchi, G., Takeuchi, S.: Histological and electron microscopical studies on sexual differences in structure of the corpora allata of the moth of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Embryologia 9, 123–158 (1966).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, B.: Ultrastructure of probable sites of release of neurosecretory materials in an insect, Calliphora stygia Fabr. (Diptera). Gen. comp. Endocr. 6, 99–108 (1966).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Joly, L., Joly, P., Porte, A., Girardie, A.: Étude physiologique et ultrastructurale des corpora allata de Locusta migratoria L. (Orthoptère) en phase grégaire. Arch. Zool. exp. gén. 109, 703–728 (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • King, R., 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, 151–176 (1966).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lea, A. O., Thomsen, E.: Size independent secretion by the corpus allatum of Calliphora erythrocephala. J. Insect Physiol. 15, 477–482 (1969).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luft, J. H.: Improvements in epoxy resin embedding methods. J. biophys. biochem. Cytol. 9, 409–414 (1961).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Moore, B. P.: Isolation of the scent trail of an Australian termite. Nature (Lond.) 211, 746–747 (1966).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nishiisutsuji-Uwo, J.: Electron microscopic studies on the neurosecretory system in Lepidoptera. Z. Zellforsch. 54, 613–630 (1961).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Normann, T. C.: Staining thin sections with lead hydroxide without contamination with precipitated lead carbonate. Stain Technol. 39, 50–52 (1964).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • —: The neurosecretory system of the adult Calliphora erythrocephala. I. The fine structure of the corpus cardiacum with some observations on adjacent organs. Z. Zellforsch. 67, 461–501 (1965).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • —: Experimentally induced exocytosis of neurosecretory granules. Exp. Cell Res. 55, 285–287 (1969).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • 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).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • —: Ultrastructure of the development of the corpus allatum in the adult male of the desert locust. J. Insect Physiol. 12, 995–1002 (1966b).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scharrer, B.: Histophysiological studies on the corpus allatum of Leucophaea maderae. IV. Ultrastructure during normal activity cycle. Z. Zellforsch. 62, 125–148 (1964).

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • —: Recent progress in the study of neuroendocrine mechanisms in insects. Arch. Anat. micr. 54, 331–342 (1965).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • —: Ultrastructural study of sites of release of neurosecretory material in blattarian insects. Z. Zellforsch. 89, 1–16 (1968).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • 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).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, D. S.: Insect cells. Edinburgh: Oliver and Boyd 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomsen, E.: An experimental and anatomical study of the corpus allatum in the female blow-fly Calliphora erythrocephala Meig. Vidensk. Medd. dansk naturhist. For. Kbh. 106, 319–405 (1942).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, Thomsen, M.: Fine structure of the corpus allatum of the female Calliphora, with special regard to hormone formation. Gen. comp. Endocr. 13, 534 (1969).

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomsen, M.: The neurosecretory system of the adult Calliphora erythrocephala. IV. A histological study of the corpus cardiacum and its connections with the nervous system. Z. Zellforsch. 94, 205–219 (1969).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Venable, J. H., Coggeshall, R.: A simplified lead citrate stain for use in electron microscopy. J. Cell Biol. 25, 407–408 (1965).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Waku, Y., Gilbert, L. J.: The corpora allata of the silkmoth, Hyalophora cecropia: An ultrastructural study. J. Morph. 115, 69–96 (1964).

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weinstein, R., Abbiss, T., Bullivant, S.: The use of double and triple uranyl salts as electron stains. J. Cell Biol. 19, 74A (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wigglesworth, V. B.: The use of osmium in the fixation and staining of tissues. Proc. roy. Soc. 147, 185–199 (1957).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of General Zoology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

    Ellen Thomsen & Mathias Thomsen

Authors
  1. Ellen Thomsen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mathias Thomsen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

We wish to express our gratitude to the Danish Natural Science Research Council for placing a Zeiss electron microscope at our disposal, and to the Carlsberg Foundation for supporting our work with grants. We are grateful to Prof. C. Overgaard Nielsen for laboratory facilities, and we are indebted to Mrs. Eva Jensen for her skilful technical assistance.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Thomsen, E., Thomsen, M. Fine structure of the corpus allatum of the female blow-fly Calliphora erythrocephala . Z. Zellforsch. 110, 40–60 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00343984

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00343984

Key-Words

Search

Navigation