Sporulation of Amblyospora (Microspora) in female Culex salinarius: induction by 20-hydroxyecdysone

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Abstract
Summary: Amblyospora sp. is a microsporidian parasite which is transovarially transmitted from an infected female Culex salinarius to her progeny. This transmission is dependent on synchronization of sporulation of the parasite and ovarian development of the host, both of which are initiated when the mosquito takes a blood meal. We induced sporulation in the absence of a blood meal and, with or without prior ovariectomy, by injection of 20-hydroxyecdysone, a hormone whose precursor, ecdysone, is produced by the ovaries of blood-fed mosquitoes. Sporulation in response to a blood meal was prevented by ovariectomy of the host prior to blood feeding or by decapitation immediately after feeding.