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Mobilization of carbohydrates in tissues of female silkworms, Bombyx mori, during metamorphosis

1974; Elsevier BV; Volume: 20; Issue: 9 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0022-1910(74)90204-2

1879-1611

Okitsugu Yamashita, Kinsaku Hasegawa,

Silkworms and Sericulture Research

The metabolic activity and mobilization of carbohydrates among tissues of female silkworms were examined during metamorphosis by injecting radioactive 14C-glucose as a tracer. The isotope injected was incorporated into various tissues with varying degrees and reached a relatively stable state in all tissues tested in about 240 min. The metabolic activities analysed by 4 hr pulse labelling were different for different tissues and ages; in glycogen synthetic activity midgut was highest on the day of the larval-pupal ecdysis, the fat body 2 days later, and ovaries a further 4 days later. When the isotope was injected on the day of larval-pupal ecdysis, it was found predominantly in glycogen first in the midgut, then in the fat body, and finally in the ovaries, proceeding through development. The total radioactivity recovered in the glycogen fractions from these tissues was almost constant throughout development. Ovariectomy caused a rise in synthesis of both glycogen and trehalose in the fat body during the second half of development. From these results it is proposed that the dermand of developing ovaries for carbohydrates exerts a controlling influence over mobilization of glycogen in the fat body.