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Ovicidal Action of Organo-phosphorus Insecticides

Nature volume 180, pages 97–98 (1957)Cite this article

Abstract

THE response of insect eggs to organo-phosphorus insecticides presents anomalies for the hypothesis that these compounds exert their toxic effect by inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase of the nervous system. In the first place, the compounds are toxic to eggs treated before differentiation of the nervous system1. Secondly, eggs treated at an early state of development, before cholinesterase activity appears, continue to develop normally until just before hatching, and then die2. Since the ultimate toxic effect of anticholinesterases is thought to result from the abnormal concentration of acetylcholine, we have examined the acetylcholine content and cholinesterase activity during the embryonic development in normal and treated eggs of the housefly, Musca domestica. Our results show a striking coincidence between the appearance and rise in the acetylcholine content of Musca eggs and the lethal action of the organo-phosphorus insecticide parathion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario

    K. N. MEHROTRA

  2. Canada Department of Agriculture, Science Service Laboratory, London, Ontario

    B. N. SMALLMAN

Authors
  1. K. N. MEHROTRA
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  2. B. N. SMALLMAN
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MEHROTRA, K., SMALLMAN, B. Ovicidal Action of Organo-phosphorus Insecticides. Nature 180, 97–98 (1957). https://doi.org/10.1038/180097a0

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