Skip to main content
Log in

Manipulation of sexual physiology by brain stimulation in insects

  • Letter
  • Published:

From Nature

View current issue Submit your manuscript

Abstract

IN insects the pars intercerebralis (PI) is a median protocerebral neurosecretory centre associated with postcerebral neurohaemal organs, the corpora cardiaca (CC). Numerous investigations based on ablations or implantations of the PI and CC have shown that the neurohormones released by the CC intervene in many physiological processes. In vitro, by means of electrical stimulations, it was possible to show that, as in vertebrates, there is a coupling between depolarisation and secretion1. One may therefore contemplate the development of a new technique of investigation in neuroendocrinology by electrical stimulation in vivo of neurosecretory cells. We were able to provoke by this way a precocious ovarian development in female locusts.

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

Access this article

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

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hodgson, E. S., and Geldiay, S., Biol. Bull mar. biol. Lab., Woods Hole, 117, 275 (1959).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Highnam, K. C., Q. Jl microsc. Sci., 103, 57 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Girardie, A., Bull. Soc. zool. Fr., 91, 423 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Geldiay, S., J. Endocr., 37, 63 (1967).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Girardie, A., and Granier, S., J. Insect Physiol., 19, 2341 (1973).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Joly, P., Ann. biol., 34, 97 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

MOULINS, M., GIRARDIE, A. & GIRARDIE, J. Manipulation of sexual physiology by brain stimulation in insects. Nature 250, 339–340 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1038/250339a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/250339a0

  • Springer Nature Limited

This article is cited by

Navigation