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Estrogens in insects

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Summary

Insects representing 5 different orders contain androgen and estrogen-like substances as determined by radioimmunoassay. Estradiol and estriol have been identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The presence of these steroids in insects suggests that the vertebrate sex hormones have an ancient evolutionary history.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Products, Hebrew University, School of Pharmacy, 91120, Jerusalem, Israel

    R. Mechoulam, R. W. Brueggemeier & D. L. Denlinger

  2. College of Pharmacy and Department of Entomology, Ohio State University, 43210, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    R. Mechoulam, R. W. Brueggemeier & D. L. Denlinger

Authors
  1. R. Mechoulam
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  2. R. W. Brueggemeier
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  3. D. L. Denlinger
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Additional information

We thank Ms Mary Ann Seifert of the Campus Chemical Instrumentation Center of The Ohio State University, Mr John Powell of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ms Florence Kraft and Mr Charles Palmer Jr for their technical assistance.

From September 1982 to August 1983, Dr Mechoulam was Distinguished Visiting Professor of the Ohio State University, supported in part by the Graduate School.

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Mechoulam, R., Brueggemeier, R.W. & Denlinger, D.L. Estrogens in insects. Experientia 40, 942–944 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01946450

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