Identification and metabolic fate of ovarian 22-adenosine monophosphoric ester of 2-deoxyecdysone in ovaries and eggs of an insect, locusta migratoria

Newly-laid eggs of Locusta migratoria contain as the major ecdysteroid conjugate donated by the female to its offspring the 22-adenosinemonophosphoric ester of 2-deoxyecdysone ( 3); during embryonic development this conjugate is hydrolysed to free 2-deoxyecdysone ( 1), which is subsequently metabolized to 3-dehydro 2-deoxyecdysone ( 7) and 2-deoxy 3-epi-ecdysone( 5): the latter substance is accumulated at late stages of development as a 3-phosphoric ester ( 6). 22-Phospho-2-deoxyecdysone ( 4) also appears as embryonic development proceeds, either from partial hydrolysis of the maternal conjugate or from phosphorylation of free 2-deoxyecdysone( 1).