Utilization of Larval Cholesterol-4-C14 for Reproduction in House Flies1 Fed Unlabeled Cholesterol in the Adult Diet2

Abstract
Larvae of the house fly. Musca domestica L., were reared aseptically on a synthetic diet containing cholesterol- 4-C14. Adults obtained from these larvae were fed on a diet containing unlabeled cholesterol to study the utilization and metabolism of the larval sterols for oögenesis. Sterols were initially incorporated into the eggs at 0.53 μg/mg, and rapidly decreased with succeeding oviposition. Hatchability was not significantly affected even when the concentration dropped to 0.15 μg/mg. Esterification of sterols was high in the female flies and increased appreciably in their eggs. Dehydrogenation of cholesterol to 7-dehydrocholesterol was minor in the adult flies, but increased slightly with succeeding collections of eggs.

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