Nutrient modulation of hormone production: Dietary essential fatty acids, tissue prostaglandins and their probable role in insect reproduction

Abstract

The essential polyunsaturated fatty acids required by insects in their food appear to be needed for prcstaglandinogenesis. Prostaglandins themselves are likely to be widely distributed in insects playing perhaps an hitherto unsuspected important role as in reproduction.

Silkworm (Bombyx mori) has the Capability to Accumulate C20 and C22 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids

“…The C 20 and C 22 PUFAs (AA, EPA, and DHA) are particularly critical for human health not only as components of cell membranes but also as precursors of metabolites including prostaglandins, prostacyclins, thromboxanes, leukotrienes, lipoxins, resolvins, and protectins . In vertebrates AA and EPA are precursors of prostaglandins and local hormone‐ like substances . Prostaglandins stimulate the contraction of smooth muscle, regulate lipid mobilization from adipose tissue and play important roles in cardiovascular regulation and in reproduction.…”

“…Prostaglandins stimulate the contraction of smooth muscle, regulate lipid mobilization from adipose tissue and play important roles in cardiovascular regulation and in reproduction. Prostaglandins have also been detected in insect, and play significant functions in insect reproduction . Disorders of C 20 and C 22 PUFAs metabolism have been found to be associated with many diseases, and disorders, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, depression, childhood attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder, dementia, and rheumatoid arthritis .…”