Paragonial substance (sex peptide) and other free ninhydrin-positive components in male and female adults of Drosophila melanogaster

摘要: Abstract By using preparative ion-exchange chromatography the paragonial substance (sex peptide) has been isolated from male adults of Drosophila melanogaster . On amino acid analyser this an effluent volume about 50 ml at pH 3·28 and 50°C, appears as a prominent peak in acidic region between phosphoserine glycerophosphoethanolamine. Analyses extracts paragonia alone studies chromatographic behaviour composition showed that present contains sex peptide. The fact low but distinct corresponding position mated females, is absent virgin suggests introduced into female by fly mating. Injection purified peptide females resulted two to three times increase oviposition. stimulating effect correlated with concentration sample used for injection. Quantitative evaluation other peaks on demonstrated 8-day-old flies contain twice much free methionine males same age. A similar situation found number acids. Conversely, content β-alanine amounts per cent higher than adults. metabolic significance these sex-specific differences discussed.