Prostaglandins in the saliva of the cattle tick,<i>Boophilus microplus</i>(Canestrini) (Acarina, Ixodidae)

Abstract

Abstract Saliva was obtained by applying capillary tubes to the mouthparts of the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus (Can.), after the subcuticular injection of pilocarpine hydrochloride. Acid-lipid extracts of this saliva showed prostaglandin (PG)-like activity on bioassay. Chromatographic studies confirmed this activity as being due to PGE 2 . Extracts from homogenates of B. microplus larvae and salivary gland tissue also showed prostaglandin-like activity. A role for PGs in B. microplus feeding mechanisms is discussed.