Vitellogenin synthesis in andrectomized males of the terrestrial isopod, Armadillidium vulgare (malacostracan Crustacea)

When adult females of Armadillidium vulgare were ovariectomized, the fat body continued to synthesize vitellogenin. On the other hand, females transplanted with androgenic glands decreased the synthetic activity for vitellogenin in their fat body. In order to elucidate effect of the androgenic hormone for vitellogenin synthesis, the occurrence of vitellogenin was studied with andrectomized males. Vitellogenin was estimated, using rocket immunoelectrophoresis. Vitellogenin synthesis in the fat body was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. After andrectomy, males ceased elongation of the endopods (copulatory organs) and then vitellogenin was present in their hemolymph. Their vitellogenin titer continued to rise until it reached approximately three times higher than that of normal females. The accumulation level of vitellogenin was comparable with that of ovariectomized females. However, the activity of vitellogenin synthesis was at a low level in the fat body culture of andrectomized males, similar to ovariectomized females. These results indicate that andrectomized males are capable of vitellogenin synthesis, so one of the effects of the androgenic hormone is to inhibit vitellogenin synthesis. In A. vulgare, ovarian factors may not be involved in the induction of vitellogenin synthesis.