Effects of a benzodioxole, J2581 (5-ethoxy-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl-1,3-benzodioxole), on vitellogenesis and ovarian development of Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract Benzodioxole J2581 (5-ethoxy-6-(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl-1,3-benzodioxole) was shown to be a chemosterilant that prevents egg maturation in female Drosophila melanogaster . A sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed to monitor vitellogenin in the hemolymph and vitellin in the ovaries. When female flies were treated with benzodioxole at emergence, vitellogenin titers in the hemolymph increased above that of controls, and vitellin was virtually undetectable in the ovaries. Microscopic observations of the sectioned ovaries showed that those from treated females were rudimentary, and immunocytochemistry revealed a lack of yolk deposition in the previtellogenic follicles. Ultrastructural studies revealed that the follicle epithelium was not patent, thus preventing the entry of vitellogenin into the oocytes. The symptoms which resulted from J2581 treatment could be reversed by application of the juvenile hormone analog 7 S -methoprene.