Do dietary stresses affect the immune system of Periplaneta americana (Blattaria: Blattidae)?

Abstract

<jats:p>Abstract Stresses can be caused by multiple biotic and abiotic factors and their effects can affect both the biology and the immune system of insects. American cockroach – Periplaneta americana (Linnaeus, 1758) (Blattaria: Blattidae) –besides being an excellent model species, has great medical importance because it can act as a mechanical vector of several pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of starvation, dehydration and both stresses on weight, and total and differential haemocyte count in P. americana adults. Each specimen was isolated in glass flasks containing or not food and/or water. They were weighed periodically. Another group received water for 24 h after the end of stress period. In the immunologic bioassay, we counted their haemocytes after the final weighing. All stresses reduced the insect weight, especially when the stresses were combined. Females of the control group gained weight and males had it unaltered. Different stress conditions and time did not influence on total haemocyte count. Insects without food and water had the proportion of prohaemocytes increased and plasmatocytes decreased. This study can serve as a basis of further studies of bioecology, behaviour and the ability of resisting insecticides, besides serving as a model to studies in other insect species.</jats:p>

Efficacy of Solar Heating System on Mortality, Reproduction, and Antioxidant Enzymes in Trogoderma granarium Everts and Stegobium paniceum (L.)

“…The physiological processes of the insect are significantly influenced by the stress conditions (Mowlds et al, 2008;Duarte et al, 2020). Once there is a weakness in the immunity of the insects there will be a chance of more susceptibility to the routine control practices of the pests (Ajamhassani, 2015;El-Samad et al, 2021).…”

Effects of Plant and Animal Natural Products on Mitophagy

“…It has been employed as a traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years, for its beneficial effects in activating blood circulation, dissipating blood stasis, promoting digestion, and inducing diuresis. Different P. americana extract-mediated pharmacological effects have been reported such as gastric protection [83], wound healing [84], antitumor activity [85], immunomodulation [86], and antifibrotic activity [87]. The effects of P. americana extract on lipopolysaccharide-(LPS-) induced cardiomyocyte injury was investigated by Li et al [88].…”

Identification of hemocytes in sugar beet weevil, Lixus incanescens (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

“…Insects are constantly exposed to biotic and abiotic stresses in their environment, including bacterial and fungal spores, toxic particles, and alterations in chemical and physical parameters. Therefore, their survival is closely related to their physiology and in particular, to an effective immune response (Duarte et al, 2020). The role of immunocompetent cells present in the haemolymph (haemocytes) and their morphological and functional changes during immunization has been widely demonstrated.…”