Effect of Photoperiod and Melatonin Administration on the Midgut of the Nocturnal Insect Spodoptera litura

ABSTRACT

Background:Melatonin is known to be powerful antioxidant in animals. However, few studies have been conducted to verify the protective effect of melatonin in insects. This study's objective was to interpret the changes in photoperiod with response to melatonin and luzindole in midgut physiology of S. litura. Materials and Methods: Third instar S. litura larvae (N=180) were maintained with different types of treatment follows, i) Control (phosphate buffer saline; pH 7.5); ii) Melatonin (4.3 × 10–5 M/100 mL diet) and iii) Luzindole (is 250 mM/100 mL diet); under Photoperiods (24L: 0D; 12L: 12 D and 0L: 24 D) in Molecular entomology Laboratoy, Periyar University, Salem during March 2016-July 2017. The developmental parameters and Reproductive attributes of S. litura were statistically analyzed. Treated S. litura midgut tissues were stained with hematoxylin eosin, and photographed under Phase Contrast microscope. Results: Results indicate that 12L: 12D showed the cellular injury in the lumen and columnar epithelial cells, whereas in 0L: 24D, intercellular spaces expanded along with the columnar cells were detected in melatonin and luzindole treatments. When larvae treated with luzindole, histological changes such as cytoplasm vacuolization, breakdown of the brush border membrane, vesicle formation were examined. The control larvae of S. litura kept under 0L: 24D and 24L:0D which displayed a layer of columnar and epithelial cells that was well maintained. Conclusion: This work has demonstrated the distinct impacts of luzindole and photoperiod on the histology and developmental fitness of the nocturnal insect S. litura.

KEYWORDS

• Melatonin
• Histology
• Photoperiod
• Midgut physiology
• Insects

Showing references and in-text citations exactly as published.

• DOI10.5530/fra.2025.1.3Copy

RELATED ARTICLES

Matched on section and article type within this issue of Free Rad. Antiox..

• Article · VOLUME 15, ISSUE 1Short, Mid, and Long-Term Melatonin Exposure Alleviates the Effects of Abamectin on the Antioxidant Defense Mechanism in the Midgut of Spodoptera litura (Insecta: Lepidoptera)Subramanian Panchu Ravindra Rajan Subala, Muthugounder Subramanian Shivakumar · pp. 20–34Original ArticleSame type: Article
• Article · VOLUME 15, ISSUE 1Comparison of Total Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Properties of Six Species of OcimumSoumen Saha, Shaswat Ojha, Monalisa Paul, Md Shahin Hossain · pp. 3–10Original ArticleSame type: Article
• Article · VOLUME 15, ISSUE 1Cord Blood Oxidant and Antioxidant Profiles in Term Nigerian Newborns with Perinatal AsphyxiaDemilade Kehinde Kuti, Tolu Ogundele, Bankole Peter Kuti, Oyeku Akibu Oyelami, Ebunoluwa Aderonke Adejuyigbe · pp. 35–41Original ArticleSame type: Article