Number and size of intracisternal granules in the adipokinetic hormone-secreting cells of locusts: a phase-dependent characteristic

The intracisternal (= ergastoplasmic) granules in the adipokinetic hormone- secreting cells of the glandular lobes of the corpora cardiaca in Locusta m igratoria migratorioides represent accumulations of adipokinetic prohormone s within cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Solitary locusts hav e more and larger intracisternal granules than gregarious locusts. This coi ncides with the general locomotor activity and thus the energy metabolism i n solitary locusts being quite different from that of gregarious locusts, w hich apparently has consequences for the amounts of adipokinetic hormones s ynthesized and/or released and, consequently, for the storage of these horm ones in the intracisternal granules. These granules apparently function as supplementary stores of secretory material.