Eur. J. Entomol. 92 (1): 63-74, 1995
Metabolism of 3-dehydroecdysone in the crayfish Orconectes limosus (Crustacea: Decapoda)
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3-Dehydroecdysone (3DE) is the major secretory product of crayfish moulting glands. The metabolic fate of 3DE in the crayfish Orconectes limosus was investigated after in vivo injection of [3H]3DE and after incubation of various tissues with [3H]3DE in vitro. Metabolites in whole body and tissue extracts were analysed by HPLC. In vivo [3H]3DE is efficiently reduced and hydroxylated to [3H]20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), which is one of the major metabolites observed in our study and also the major circulating ecdysteroid. 3 beta-reduction and 20-hydroxylation were the predominant enzymatic activities obtained after in vitro incubation of [3H]3DE with various tissues. Under the conditions utilised here, antennal glands and CNS (abdominal ganglia) exhibited highest reductase activity per mg wet weight; epidermis, gonads, midgut gland and hindgut had moderate activities; muscle had the least and hemolymph was inactive. 3DE conversion by Y-organs differed moulting stage dependently. 20-hydroxylation activities were similarly distributed in all organs except for ovaries, in which 20-hydroxylation exceeded the 3 beta-reduction. Ovaries were also the only tissue containing a significant 3 alpha-reductase activity.
Keywords: Ecdysteroid metabolism, 3-dehydroecdysone, Crustacea
Accepted: January 3, 1995; Published: February 24, 1995 Show citation
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