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Journal of Cell Science, Vol 53, 337-346, Copyright © 1982 by Company of Biologists

Fine Structural Changes in the Fat Body Cells of Rhodnius (Hemiptera) during Extreme Starvation and Recovery

V. B. WIGGLESWORTH 1

1 Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge

The fate of lipid-rich components in the fat body cells of Rhodnius during extreme starvation and recovery is described. The mitochondria (along with ER etc.) degenerate to form largecytolysomes whose amorphous contents are dispersed after feeding to yield watery vacuoles with lipofuscin in their walls. Surviving mitochondria become swollen, with reduced cristaeand conspicuous deposits of residual lipid or lipofuscin. In extreme starvation chromatin is progressively dispersed and discharged from the nucleus. After feeding, damaged mitochondria recover very slowly before multiplying; there seems tobe no new formation of mitochondria. New ER is formed within the first hour after feeding bythe escape of lipid-rich material from the nucleolus, which leads to expansion of the outer nuclear membrane to form blisters; these are budded off to form cysts and their surface is evaginated repeatedly to form laminated ER. New lipid droplets in the fat body appear to arise from the condensation of clusters of lipid-rich particles which are derived from the ER.






© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1982