Immunocytochemical detection of adrenocorticotropin-like and somatotropin-like hormones in the neurosecretory neurons of caterpillar brains in Lymantria dispar after exposure to stressogenic concentrations of flavonoid quercetin (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

Abstract

Main goal of this study was to determine adrenococrticotropic (ACTH) and somatotropic (GH) immunoreactive neurosecretory neurons in the protocerebral part of caterpillar brains in the gypsy moth species Lymantria dispar Linnaeus 1758, after their exposure to a stressogenic concentration of flavonoid quercetin (2% w/w) supplemented in artificial diet. A high ACTH immunoreactivity was found in the protocerebral A2, and a high somatotropin immunoreactivity in the protocerebral A1' neurosecretory neurons of the so treated caterpillars. There is no previous informations about presence of ACTH and GH immunoreactivity in gypsy moth tissues.