Ecdysteroids in adults and eggs of the house cricket, Acheta domesticus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)

The literature on endogenous ecdysteroids in, and the effects of exogenous ecdysteroids on, Acheta domesticus is reviewed. Most published studies concern adult females and eggs, with significantly fewer studies on adult males. Ecdysteroid levels increase significantly as adult females mature and synthesis is associated with the maturation of successive waves of terminal oocytes. Although ecdysteroids are found in all body compartments, the largest amounts are associated with the maturing ovary, where ecdysone 22-fatty acyl esters predominate. These are recovered in the deposited eggs, together with a much smaller amount of ecdysone. During embryogenesis, the major free ecdysteroid changes from ecdysone to 20-hydroxyecdysone. Initially, there does not appear to be extensive metabolic turnover of the ecdysone 22-fatty acyl esters, but during the second half of embryogenesis the amount of ecdysone 22-fatty acyl esters per egg doubles and significant amounts of a new class of ecdysteroid conjugate are formed. Some possible areas for future research are indicated. Copyright (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Inc.