In larval and pupal stages of several insect species the changes in total body metabolism appear to be inversely proportional to the course of ecdysteroid titres. The largest peaks of ecdysteroid occur exactly at the time of the lowest metabolic rates. These relationships are consequences of the developmental programming; ecdysteroid has no direct antimetabolic action. The problem of ecdysteroid-metabolic interactions has been discussed in relation to possible homeostatic function of ecdysteroids in insect development.
Rodent studies of developmental programming and aging mechanisms
