Ecdysteroid Titer and Metabolism and cuticle deposition during embryogenesis of the ixodid tick amblyomma-hebraeum (Koch)

Three embryonic cuticles are formed before larval cuticle deposition during embryonic development of Amblyomma hebraeum. The quantity of radioimmunoassay-positive material varied between 50 and 200 pg ecdysone equivalents per mg, but no significant peaks were detected. Maternally incorporated [H-3]-20-hydroxyecdysone and [H-3]-ecdysone contained in freshly laid eggs appear to be conjugated to C-22 fatty acid esters and 3 alpha epimers of those esters and, thus, appear doubly inactivated. In addition, ecdysone is converted to an unknown product called 2'. The role of these maternally derived ecdysteroids is unknown.