Korean J Parasitol.
2014 Apr;52(2):183-188.
Detection of Heparin in the Salivary Gland and Midgut of Aedes togoi
- Affiliations
-
- 1Division of Integrative Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Korea. sjlee@postech.ac.kr
- 2Center for Biofluid and Biomimic Research, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Korea.
- 3School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang 790-784, Korea.
- 4Department of Biology, Kosin University, Busan 606-701, Korea.
Abstract
- Mosquitoes secrete saliva that contains biological substances, including anticoagulants that counteract a host's hemostatic response and prevent blood clotting during blood feeding. This study aimed to detect heparin, an anticoagulant in Aedes togoi using an immunohistochemical detection method, in the salivary canal, salivary gland, and midgut of male and female mosquitoes. Comparisons showed that female mosquitoes contained higher concentrations of heparin than male mosquitoes. On average, the level of heparin was higher in blood-fed female mosquitoes than in non-blood-fed female mosquitoes. Heparin concentrations were higher in the midgut than in the salivary gland. This indicates presence of heparin in tissues of A. togoi.
