Changes in cell number and activity of the corpora allata of the cockroach Diploptera punctata: a role for mating and the ovary

The corpora allata (CA) of mated female Diploptera punctata showed an increase in cell number from 6000 cells/CA on the day of emergence to a maximum of about 9000 cells/CA by day 5. The number of cells per CA then declined and, by day 8, the CA was composed of about 6000 cells. In the normal mated animal, the previously established increase in biosynthetic activity of the CA correlated with the increase in number of cells in the CA. In virgin females no significant change in cell number was observed during this period and this correlates with the demonstrated low and constant rates of juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthesis. Following ovariectomy, however, an increase in cell number occurred (to 10 000 cells/CA) by day 5 and cell number remained elevated until at least day 8. Low rates of JH biosynthesis have been observed previously in ovariectomized females and thus the increase in cell number observed in these females is not accompanied by a corresponding increase in biosynthetic activity. The cell number of the CA in ovariectomized females was reduced by injection of 20-hydroxyecdysone. We propose that either mating or surgical removal of inhibitory signals from cerebral neurosecretory cells permits the proliferation of the cells of the CA. We also propose that factors from the ovary are responsible for both the initiation of the cycle of JH biosynthesis and the reduction of CA cell number at the end of the gonotrophic cycle.