Histopathology and histochemistry of the insects treated with chemosterilants VI: brain damage including reduced neurosecretion caused by chemosterilants in Periplaneta americana (L).

The brain is damaged and neurosecretion is reduced in the P. americana treated with chemosterilants thio-tepa and bis (dimethylamino) dithiazolium chloride. The damage includes, separation of neurolemma, vacuolisation and chromatolysis in the nuclei of neurons and extensive damage to fibres. Reduced neurosecretion, vacuolisation in the cytoplasm and karyolysis in the nucleus of neurosecretory cells, are also observed. These changes in the brain are of considerable importance to understand the mode of action of the chemosterilants.