Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Metabolism of carbon-14-labeled hempa by adult boll weevils

  • Published:
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

When uniformly carbon-14-labeled hempa, alone or in combination with busulfan, is ingested by the adult boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) during a six-day feeding period, hempa is metabolized rapidly and excreted with its decomposition products. The primary metabolic pathway involves the sequentialN-demethylation of hempa to the inactive penta-, tetra-, and trimethyl derivatives. Radiocarbon liberated during metabolism is expired as14CO2 or is incorporated into natural constituents. Of the radioactive products that are present in adult boll weevils immediately upon transfer from the hempa-containing diet, only 0.6 µg each is in the form of hempa; after 24 hours of feeding on untreated diet, this is reduced to 0.06 µg. In view of the known low acute- and chronic toxicity of hempa to mammals and its low mutagenicity in mammalian systems, it is concluded that the proposed release of 100 chemosterilized weevils per acre would produce only negligible potential environmental contamination and that possible risks could be further reduced by releasing the insects 24 hours or more after treatment.

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

  • Akov, S., J. E. Oliver, and A. B. Borkovec:N-Demethylation of the chemosterilant hempa by house fly microsomes. Life Sciences7, 1207 (1968).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Akov, S., and A. B. Borkovec: Metabolism of the chemosterilant hempa by carbamate-resistant house flies. Life Sciences7, 1215 (1968).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chang, S. C. and A. B. Borkovec: Comparative metabolism of14C-labeled hempa by house flies susceptible or resistant to Isolan. J. Econ. Entomol.62, 1417 (1969).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chang, T.-H. and W. Klassen: Comparative effects of tetramine, tepa, and apholate and their structural analogs on human chromosomes in vitro. Chromasoma24, 314 (1968).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chang, S. C., P. H. Terry, C. W. Woods, and A. B. Borkovec: Metabolism of hempa uniformly labeled with C14 in male house flies. J. Econ. Entomol.60, 1623 (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidson, J. D., and V. T. Oliverio: Tritium and carbon-14 by oxygen flask combustion. Atomlight, No. 60, pp. 1–10. Boston: New England Nuclear (1967).

    Google Scholar 

  • Flint, H. M., N. W. Earle, J. Eaton and W. Klassen: Chemosterilization of the boll weevil: Screening of compounds to reduce fecundity and fertility of females. J. Econ. Entomol., submitted for publication (1972).

  • Gram, T. E. and J. R. Fouts: Studies on the intramicrosomal distribution of hepatic enzymes which catalyze the metabolism of drugs and other foreign compounds. In E. Hodgson (ed.): Enzymatic Oxidations of Toxicants, pp. 47–64.North Carolina State University, Raleigh, N.C. (1968).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanes, C. S. and F. A. Isherwood: Separation of phosphate esters on filter paper chromatography. Nature164, 1107 (1949)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klassen, W., and N. W. Earle: Permanent sterility induced in boll weevils with busulfan without reducing production of pheromone. J. Econ. Entomol.63, 1195 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Shott, L. D., A. B. Borkovec, and W. A. Knapp, Jr.: Toxicology of hexamethylphosphoric triamide in rats and rabbits. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol.18, 499 (1971).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Skram, R. J., V. Benes, and Z. Zudova: Induction of dominant lethals in mice by tepa and hempa. Folia Biol. (Praha)16, 407 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sturelid, S.: Chromosome-breaking capacity of tepa and analogues inVicia faba and Chinese hamster cells. Hereditas68, 255 (1971).

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Terry, P. H. and A. B. Borkovec: Insecticide chemosterilants. IV Phosphoramides, J. Med. Chem.10, 118 (1967).

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vanderzant, E. S., and T. B. Davich: Artificial diets for the adult boll weevil and techniques for obtaining eggs. J. Econ. Entomol.54, 923 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Wiygul, G., and N. Mitlin: Metabolism of busulfan in the boll weevil. Pesticide Biochem. Physiol.1, 418 (1971).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Cotton Insects Research Laboratory, 77840, College Station, Tex.

    D. L. Bull

  2. Agricultural Research Service, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Environmental Quality Institute, 20705, Beltsville, Md.

    A. B. Borkovec

Authors
  1. D. L. Bull
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. B. Borkovec
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Study made in cooperation with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, College Station, Texas. Mention of a commercial or proprietary product, or a pesticide, in this paper, does not constitute a recommendation or an endorsement by the U. S. Department of Agriculture.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bull, D.L., Borkovec, A.B. Metabolism of carbon-14-labeled hempa by adult boll weevils. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 1, 148–158 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01986004

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01986004

Keywords

Search

Navigation