The relationship of gonadogenesis, molting and growth during postembryonic development of the free‐living nematode, Panagrellus silusiae: Selective inhibition of gonadogenesis using hydroxyurea

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
During postembryonic development of the free‐living nematode, Panagrellus silusiae, there are three diverse developmental processes: growth, molting and gonadogenesis. By treating synchronously growing worms with hydroxyurea at various times during the postpartum period it was possible to induce selective blockage of gonad formation without interfering appreciably with the temporal patterns of growth or molting. Gonad formation was differentially susceptible to hydroxyurea treatment. The presence of the drug during the early phases of gonadogenesis prevented completion of the process while administration later in the postpartum cycle was without effect.Long term treatment with hydroxyurea caused cuticular anomalies in adult worms after the final molt had been completed.Treatment with puromycin, actidione, actinomycin D, cold or removal of nutrients during the early stages of postpartum development reversibly blocked postembryonic development. Nitrosoguanidine blocked postembryonic develop ment irreversibly.The results suggest that gonad development is not obligatory for growth or molting but continued body growth and molting are essential for gonado genesis. It was not possible to divorce the molting process from body growth.