Age of Murine Hosts Determined by Binding of Estradiol to Mosquito Blood Meals1

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Abstract
Steroid-binding proteins (e.g., alpha-fetoprotein) are found in blood of many mammalian neonates, where they serve to bind and clear maternal steroid hormones. Detectable amounts of steroid-binding proteins (SBP) were found in mosquito blood meals obtained from suckling laboratory mice. Mosquitoes fed on suckling mice were easily differentiated from those fed on adults by testing blood meals for binding of radiolabeled estradiol (3H-E2). Binding of 3H-E2 in blood meals remained detectable for up to 18 h after ingestion. Therefore, binding of radiolabeled steroids to blood meals can be used to determine the relative age of host rodents. Potential field applications and limitations of this technique are discussed.