Quantitative aspects of the regulation of ovarian development in selected anautogenous Diptera: integration of endocrinology and nutrition

Aspects of the influence of nutrition on the degree of ovarian development in selected anautogenous Diptera are reviewed. The Diptera considered are s everal mosquito species, with emphasis on Aedes aegypti, the house fly, Mus ca domestica, the Australian bush fly, M. vetustissima and the blowflies, L ucilia cuprina and Phormia regina. All the selected species display discret e ovarian cycles in which all oocytes destined to reach maturity in a parti cular ovarian cycle develop synchronously. In these species, the proportion of females maturing oocytes and, where such data exist, the number of oocy tes they mature are positively correlated with the amount of any particular nitrogen-containing material ingested or given by enema or by infusion. In addition, the degree of ovarian development may be affected by the chemica l composition of nitrogen-containing food. Possible physiological bases for the observed relationships are discussed. Available evidence suggests that whether or not a female matures any oocytes is hormonally regulated and th at the number of oocytes matured is probably regulated by the availability of nutrients. Some approaches that might further elucidate the physiologica l regulatory mechanisms involved in ovarian development are outlined.