Ampleford E J, Steel C G
Gen Comp Endocrinol. 1985 Sep;59(3):453-9. doi: 10.1016/0016-6480(85)90404-6.
The hemolymph levels of the insect molting hormone (ecdysteroid) during the week preceding ecdysis in fifth-instar male Rhodnius prolixus have been determined using a radioimmunoassay. When animals are kept on light-dark cycles, the titer displays massive daily increases and decreases producing a daily rhythm. This rhythm is maintained with a period of approximately 24 hr in continuous darkness. The free-running period of the rhythm was determined at 24 and 28 degrees and found to be temperature compensated. Therefore the titer of ecdysteroids is modulated by a circadian system. Since ecdysteroids are known to influence a wide variety of developmental events ranging from chromosome puffing to cuticle deposition, circadian modulation of the titer will provide information concerning time to all ecdysteroid sensitive tissues hence could function as a pacemaker for imposing developmental synchrony.
利用放射免疫分析法测定了五龄雄性南美锥蝽在蜕皮前一周内昆虫蜕皮激素（蜕皮甾类）的血淋巴水平。当动物处于明暗循环条件下时，其滴度呈现出大幅的每日升降变化，从而产生日节律。在持续黑暗中，这种节律以大约24小时的周期维持。该节律的自由运转周期在24摄氏度和28摄氏度下测定，结果表明具有温度补偿作用。因此，蜕皮甾类的滴度受昼夜节律系统调节。由于已知蜕皮甾类会影响从染色体疏松到表皮沉积等各种各样的发育事件，滴度的昼夜节律调节将为所有对蜕皮甾类敏感的组织提供时间信息，因而可能作为一个起搏器来实现发育同步。
