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EXPLORING THE ROLE OF RHODTESTOLIN, A CARDIO-INHIBITOR FROM THE TESTES OF RHODNIUS PROLIXUS, IN RELATION TO THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS IN INSECT VECTORS OF CHAGAS DISEASE
Affilliation
Redeemer University College. Biology Department. Ancaster, Ontario, Canada.
Redeemer University College. Biology Department. Ancaster, Ontario, Canada.
Affinity Biologicals Inc. Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Ecoepidemiologia da Doença de Chagas. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Redeemer University College. Biology Department. Ancaster, Ontario, Canada.
Affinity Biologicals Inc. Ancaster, Ontario, Canada
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Ecoepidemiologia da Doença de Chagas. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Abstract
Rhodtestolin is a cardio-inhibitor that was first discovered in testes extracts of the
blood-feeding insect, Rhodnius prolixus. Its role in reproduction remains unconfirmed, but if
delivered to the female during spermatophore formation, it may serve to calm the female
and/or relax the vaginal muscles to facilitate delivery and storage of the spermatophore. We
describe here the anatomy of reproductive organs in R. prolixus and show that rhodtestolin is
present in a low-molecular weight fraction of testes extracts separated by gel filtration, as
well as in spermatophores delivered to the female during spermatophore formation. We also
report that a rhodtestolin-like factor is present in the testes of R. brethesi, Triatoma
dimidiata, T. klugi and Nesotriatoma bruneri, other Reduviidae, which are vectors of Chagas
disease. Male secretions in insects are known to modify female behavior after copulation,
and the presence of rhodtestolin in several genera of Reduviidae suggests that it plays an
important role in reproductive success. Determining this role could lead to developing
additional population control strategies for these bugs.
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