Identification of blood meals imbibed by phlebotomine sand flies using cytochrome b PCR and reverse line blotting.

Blood meal identification is important for determining the host preferences and the vectorial capacity of hematophagous arthropods. In the past, mostly serological techniques using host-specific antibodies were used, but in recent years more sensitive and accurate polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular approaches for identifying blood meals have been developed. Here, a vertebrate-specific PCR is combined with reverse line blot analysis for identifying blood meals ingested by female phlebotomine sand fly vectors of leishmaniasis.

ACROSOME BREAKDOWN IN LEPTODACTYLUS CHAQUENSIS (AMPHIBIA ANURA) SPERMATOZOA.

Acrosome breakdown in Leptodactylus chaquensis is described: during this process acrosome enlarges, becomes round-shaped and finally disrupts. Low tonicity media (0.025 M sucrose and 1/10 Holtfreter's solutions) favor acrosome breakdown and sperm fertility loosing.