INSECT NEUROSECRETIONIN VITRO

The use of cell and organ culture for the study of insect neurosecretion is a relatively new methodology that is developing rapidly. Recent studies indicate that although it is possible to correlate the presence of stainable neurosecretory material and electrondense neurosecretory granules with the presence of neurohormones in some systems, the actual release of the hormone can be detected only by bioassay. Bioassay systems for both tropic hormones and peptide metabolic hormones have been used to demonstrate the synthesis, storage, and release of neurohormones by cultured neuroendocrine organs. The experimental flexibility permitted by in vitro techniques is rapidly making it the method of choice in neuroendocrinological studies.