Ultramorphology and histochemistry of fat body cells from last Instar larval of the Pachycondyla (=Neoponera) villosa (Fabricius) (Formicidae: Ponerinae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Chemical detection of the proteins and lipids in the fat body cells from workers of Attini ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

New morphological data on fat bodies of semi-engorged females of Amblyomma cajennense (Acari : Ixodidae)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Ultrastructural analysis of the fat body in workers of Attini ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

In the present study a comparative morphological analysis of the fat body cells of ant workers of the basal Attini species Cyphomyrmex rimosus and Mycetarotesparallelus, and the derived species Acromynnex disciger and Atta laevigata was conducted. The results revealed that the fat body is located mainly in the abdomen around organs (perivisceral) and near the integument (parietal). The main cells observed are spherical or polygonal trophocytes with a slightly rough surface. The oenocytes, another cell type found, are closely associated with trophocytes, and present a spherical or polygonal shape and a smoother surface. The morphometric analysis showed that the area of trophocytes and oenocytes of C rimosus and M parallelus is significantly smaller when compared to those of A. disciger and A. laevigata. In the cytoplasm of parietal and perivisceral trophocytes and oenocytes, electronlucent droplets (probably lipids) and electrondense granules (probably proteins) indicate the participation of these cells in the storage of these elements, while digestive vacuoles, residual bodies, and multivesicular bodies suggest a role in intracellular digestion. In perivisceral trophocytes and oenocytes of C rimosus, the presence of mitochondria, lamellar rough endoplasmic reticulum, and Golgi complex suggests that these cells synthesize proteins. Based on these data, no significant differences were observed between the fat body cells of basal and derived ants, except regarding the larger size of trophocytes and oenocytes of the derived species A. disciger and A. laevigata. (C) Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2009

Fat body cells of female reproductive castes of Attini ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): An ultrastructural and chemical analysis

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Morpho-physiological analysis of the insect fat body: A review

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Storaged products and presence of acid phosphatase in fat body cells at pre-pupal worker stage of Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758 (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Size of fat body trophocytes and the ovarian development in workers and queens of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides

The correlation between trophocyte size and ovarian development is negative in workers and positive in queens of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides. The nurse workers which have the ovaries in a higher developmental stage, present smaller fat body cells them newly-emerged ones. In newly-emerged and nurse workers the trophocytes seem to be delivering their stored products, among which probably vitellogenin. As in workers the cell size variations do not support the occurrence of proteic synthesis or the increasing in reverses storage after the adult emergence, the products released from the trophocytes must come from cellular reserves remaining from the larval phase. This datum is in agreement with the early and brief vitellogenic phase in the ovaries of this caste. In foragers the trophocyte size seen stabilized. In queens it was verified considerable increasing in the trophocyte size from virgin to physogastric queen, as well as the maintenance of the size during all fertile life of the queen.

Effect of mating delay in the ovary of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera, Apidae) queens: Histological aspects

This paper reports the effect of mating delay on the queen Apis mellifera ovaries based on a light microscopy analysis. Soon after a queen emerges from the brood cell, oocytes start to differentiate in the ovaries, but if mating does not occur at the correct age (about 6 days after emergence) cell degeneration begins. Ovaries of 15-day-old virgin queens show extensive disorganization with cell death affecting all types of ovariole cells. Types of cell death and the possible causes are discussed.

Effects of treatment of the fat body trophocytes of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides nurse workers and virgin queens in culture by juvenile hormone III and ecdysterone (20-HE)

The fat body (FB) consists of two types of cells: throphocytes and oenocytes. Throphocytes are related to intermediary metabolism storing lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins while oenocytes play role in the lipids and lipoproteins production. The vitellogenin is the precursor of egg yolk (vitelline) and is synthesized on FB. The aim of this work was to analyze the effects of hormones acting in bee reproduction, as juvenile hormone (JH) and ecdisteroids (20 HE) on FB cells, where vitellogenin is synthesized. For the study were chose nurse workers that in Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides present activated ovaries and produce eggs, and virgin queens whose ovaries are not yet activated, presenting only previtellogenic follicles. FB trophocytes from these classes of bees were cultivated in media containing different amounts of JH and 20-HE. The effects on trophocytes cytoplasm reserves of lipids, proteins, and activity of acid phosphatase were compared by observing preparations from cultured FB, treated and control, by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that the hormones effects are related to the bee's caste and functional ovary stage. The role of acid phosphatase on mobilization of the trophocyte reserves was also determined. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Ultramorphology and histochemistry of fat body cells from last Instar larval of the Pachycondyla (=Neoponera) villosa (Fabricius) (Formicidae: Ponerinae)

As células do corpo gorduroso de Pachycondyla (=Neoponera) villosa distribuem-se como uma única camada entre a cutícula e o trato digestivo, formando um conjunto de células agrupadas e recobertas por uma fina membrana. Não foram identificados tipos celulares distintos por meio da ultramorfologia, porém a histologia revelou três tipos celulares distintos: os trofócitos, mais abundantes, as células de urato, distribuídas por entre os trofócitos, e os enócitos, menos abundantes que os demais. Os enócitos são comumente observados próximos da cutícula. Histoquimicamente, os trofócitos apresentaram reação positiva para proteínas básicas no núcleo e no citoplasma e reação fortemente positiva nos grânulos citoplasmáticos. O teste para carboidratos foi fortemente positivo em todo o citoplasma, enquanto para os lipídeos observou-se reação positiva nas vesículas citoplasmáticas. em relação às células de urato, estas apresentaram reação positiva para proteínas básicas no núcleo e citoplasma, por entre as vesículas. Essas células não apresentaram reação para o teste de PAS e Sudan Black B. Quanto aos enócitos, estes apresentaram citoplasma fracamente positivo ao PAS e fortemente positivo ao Sudan Black B e para o azul de bromofenol.