We have studied the effect of hypoxia and ouabain on the muscle resting potential (RP) of the cockroach Periplaneta americana L. The experiments were done in insects reared either in normoxic or hypoxic conditions and treated, or not treated, with ouabain. Hypoxic conditions decreased the RP by about 11.6 mV. Ouabain decreased the RP by about 8.3 mV ( ouabain 10(-5) mol/l) or 12.3 mV ( ouabain 5 x 10(-5) mol/l). Hypoxia amd ouabain decreased the RP by about 28.5 mV ( ouabian 10(-5) mol/l) or 31.3 mV ( ouabain 5 x 10(-5) mol/l).
Natural neurotoxins are promising molecules in the actual search for the development of alternative pest management since chemical insecticides pose unacceptable risks to the environment and to health. The aim of the article is to describe the application of two electrophysiological methods (double-oil-gap technique used on cockroach isolated giant axon and microelectrode technique used on cockroach neurosecretory DUM cells in situ) to study neurotoxin effects on insect nervous system function.
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