CHANGES IN LYMANTRIA DISPAR PROTOCEREBRAL NEUROSECRETORY NEURONS AFTER EXPOSURE TO CADMIUM

摘要

Gypsy moth 4th instar caterpillars were fed for 3 days with an artificial diet supplemented with increasing cadmium (Cd) concentrations (0, 10, 30, 100 and 250 μg?g of dry food weight). Changes in the morphometric characteristics of A1' dorso-medial and L2 dorso-lateral neurosecretory neurons (nsn) were analyzed. In the A1' nsn, Cd supplements led to an enhanced nuclear size, except in the group treated with 250 μg Cd?g in the form of dry food. The size of L2 type nsn was increased in the groups provided with 30 and 100 μg Cd?g, while no differences in the size of nuclei was detected in L2 neurons among the experimental groups.