AUTORADIOGRAPHIC LOCALIZATION OF [22,23-H-3(2)] DIHYDROAZADIRACHTIN BINDING-SITES IN DESERT LOCUST TESTES AND EFFECTS OF AZADIRACHTIN ON SPERM MOTILITY

Localization of [22,23-H-3(2)] dihydroazadirachtin binding sites in lo cust (Schistocerca gregaria) testes was investigated by in vitro autor adiography, preferential binding of the ligand at concentrations of 10 (-8) M was located in the testes follicles, localized on the tail port ions of developing sperm, This binding was fully displaceable with an excess of unlabelled ligand, The results indicate that Azadirachtin bi nds preferentially to sites on the organelles associated with maturing locust sperm tails, Azadirachtin, at concentrations of 10(-4) M and a bove, caused a time-dependent reduction in the motility of eupyrene sp erm bundles liberated from the accessory glands of mature male S. greg aria, The effect of azadirachtin on boar sperm motility was also time- and concentration-dependent. Forward motility was significantly reduc ed by concentrations above 10(-5) M at each time interval (P < 0.05).