Asymmetry in hormone biosynthesis by insect endocrine glands

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Abstract
The corpora allata (CA) of the desert locust Schistocerca gregaria are paired endocrine glands known to synthesize juvenile hormone (JH). The ability of individual members of the pair to synthesize JH has been examined between days 7 and 14 of adult life. Left and right glands in an individual animal can make different quantities of JH (up to 1000: 1), indicating that it cannot be assumed that endocrine glands in any given animal are of equal endocrinological activity. This asymmetry in endocrine function appears to be randomly distributed and thus the relative activity of members of the pair cannot be predicted. The asymmetry does not appear to be related to either the total quantity of JH synthesized or to the age of the animals. It is significant that no matter which member of the pair is more active, the absolute quantity of hormone synthesized by the CA of different animals of the same age is similar. The factors which regulate the endocrine asymmetry are not known but feedback loops between the brain and CA are implied. The functional significance of asymmetry may be related to a cyclical alternation in synthesis of JH by the members of the pair.

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