Ghrelin effects on the activities of digestive enzymes and growth of Lymantria dispar L.
2012
Authors:
Perić Mataruga, VesnaPetković, Branka
Vlahović, Milena
Mrdaković, Marija
Ilijin, Larisa
Matić, Dragana
Milošević, Verica
Document Type:
Article (Published version)
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract:
Ghrelin, along with several other hormones, has significant effects on appetite and growth in humans and animals. The aim of our study was to examine changes in relative growth rates, α- and β-glucosidase activities and endocrine cell size in the midgut of 4th instar caterpillars of the pest insect Lymantria dispar L. after ghrelin treatment. Four subpicomolar injections of ghrelin (0.3 pmol) or physiological saline were applied every 24 h to two separate groups of fifteen caterpillars. Repeated administration of ghrelin in subpicomolar doses elevated the relative growth rate, induced α- and β-glucosidase activities and increased the size of endocrine cells. The results are the first data about ghrelin effects on relative growth rate, digestive enzyme activities and midgut endocrine cells in insects. This information supports the use of this relatively simple model system in future studies of mechanisms underlying digestion in complex organisms.
Keywords:
Ghrelin; Growth rate; Midgut; Glucosidase; Endocrine cellsSource:
Archives of Biological Sciences, 2012, 64, 2, 497-502Funding / projects:
- The effects of magnetic fields and other environmental stressors on the physiological responses and behavior of different species (RS-MESTD-Basic Research (BR or ON)-173027)
DOI: 10.2298/ABS1202497M
ISSN: 0354-4664