The effect of lufenuron, a chitin synthesis inhibitor, on oogenesis of Rhodnius prolixus

The effects of lufenuron, a chitin synthesis inhibitor, on oogenesis of Rhodnius prolixus were evaluated. Lufenuron-treated females lay eggs that are pink, but change color with time, acquiring a gray color. The eggs are abnormal in shape and become dehydrated. The percentage of eggs that hatch is decreased compared with the eggs from non-treated females. Digestion of ovaries with KOH yielded an insoluble white material, which was identified as chitin based on infrared and proton NMR spectral analyses along with standard commercial chitin. Glucosamine was detected by HPLC as the major product of acid hydrolysis of the KOH-insoluble material prepared from the ovary. Furthermore, presence of chitin in ovary was confirmed through fluorescent microscopy technique using a wheat germ agglutinin probe and by re-treatment with Streptomyces griseus chitinase that resulted in reduction of chitin-derived fluorescence. Micrographs of ovaries, from animals treated with lufenuron, showed some space between the follicular epithelium and the oocyte membrane. The in vivo incorporation of radioactive N-acetylglucosamine into chitin was inhibited by the presence of lufenuron. These data suggest that chitin present in ovaries of R. prolixus is an important component of the eggs and is involved in oogenesis. Exposure to lufenuron reduces the size of oocytes, number of chorionated oocytes, and also the incorporation of N-acetylglucosamine into chitin in the ovaries. In addition, lufenuron-induced oosorption, decreased the number of eggs laid, modified egg shape and color and reduced the viability of the eggs. Therefore, chitin or chitin-like component of ovaries may be considered as a new target for controlling R. prolixus populations.