Functional Anatomy of the External and Internal Reproductive Structures in Insect Vectors of Chagas Disease with Particular Reference to Rhodnius prolixus

The insect vector of Chagas disease, Rhodnius prolixus, has become a very popular model organism for exploring, among other things, the physiology of insects. Its ability to remain in a state of stasis until after engorging a blood meal has focussed most studies on those physiological and developmental processes triggered by the blood meal leaving the details of its sexual physiology vague. This chapter summarizes the relationship between the male and female by describing their respective reproductive systems and genitalia, and how they function during and after copulation. A number of novel processes are noted, such as the transfer of male secretions without the formation of a spermatophore, pump/valve mechanism in the male aedeagus, sensory and a chemical means by which copulation may be facilitated, and the possible mechanism by which adhesive protein is applied to an egg during ovipositioning. Combined with knowledge of its genome, further studies into the functional anatomy of reproduction in this insect have the potential to increase our understanding of sexual reproduction in Reduviidae bugs, and to suggest new ways to control their population growth and the spread of Chagas disease

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

Made available in DSpace on 2015-10-07T18:53:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license.txt: 1914 bytes, checksum: 7d48279ffeed55da8dfe2f8e81f3b81f (MD5) maria_lima_etal_IOC_2013.pdf: 856183 bytes, checksum: 04393c221ef0dd082bb02b92b9864f9a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013Redeemer University College. Biology Department. Ancaster, Ontario, Canada.Redeemer University College. Biology Department. Ancaster, Ontario, Canada.Affinity Biologicals Inc. Ancaster, Ontario, CanadaFundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Ecoepidemiologia da Doença de Chagas. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.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

Influence of blood meal and mating in reproduction patterns of Triatoma brasiliensis females (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) under laboratory conditions

Submitted by Sandra Infurna ([email protected]) on 2018-08-16T11:13:34Z No. of bitstreams: 1 FilipeC_costa_etal_IOC_2009.pdf: 435665 bytes, checksum: a46c62f4f8f2fe2252211ba4195eca28 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Sandra Infurna ([email protected]) on 2018-08-16T11:21:08Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 FilipeC_costa_etal_IOC_2009.pdf: 435665 bytes, checksum: a46c62f4f8f2fe2252211ba4195eca28 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T11:21:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 FilipeC_costa_etal_IOC_2009.pdf: 435665 bytes, checksum: a46c62f4f8f2fe2252211ba4195eca28 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Eco-Epidemiologia da Doença de Chagas. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Sistemática e Bioquímica. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil.Redeemer University College. Biology Department. Ancaster, Ontario, Canada.Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Eco-Epidemiologia da Doença de Chagas. Rio de Janeiro, RJ. Brasil.The influence of blood meal and mating on Triatoma brasiliensis (Neiva) female fecundity, fertility, life-span and the preoviposition period were investigated under laboratory conditions. Nourishment increased fecundity, fertility and adult lifespan, whereas mating increased fecundity, fertility and decreased the preoviposition period. Females also required more than one mating to reach their full reproductive potential. Results indicate that both nourishment and mating are important in T. brasiliensis proliferation. Such information will help towards developing effective control strategies of this vector of Chagas disease

Influence of blood meal and mating in reproduction patterns of Triatoma brasiliensis females (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) under laboratory conditions

The influence of blood meal and mating on Triatoma brasiliensis (Neiva) female fecundity, fertility, life-span and the preoviposition period were investigated under laboratory conditions. Nourishment increased fecundity, fertility and adult lifespan, whereas mating increased fecundity, fertility and decreased the preoviposition period. Females also required more than one mating to reach their full reproductive potential. Results indicate that both nourishment and mating are important in T. brasiliensis proliferation. Such information will help towards developing effective control strategies of this vector of Chagas disease