Growth in an insect organ culture

As the work with insect tissue and organ cultures becomes more successful, there is emerging a uniformity of growth patterns from explanted tissues. The patterns can be placed in the general categories of (1) cell sheets, (2) rounded hollow vesicles, and (3) elongate hollow tubes. It is postulated that only those cells capable of secreting a cuticular layer reproduce to form vesicles. Growth responses from isolated embryonic organs may be stimulated by placing the organs near explanted nymphal prothoracic glands or ganglia. In addition, chemical substances including Raben type hormone, cholesterol, bovine serum, glycerol, royal jelly, and phytol have acted as growth stimulators either in an insect hormone-mimicking capacity or as an essential nutrient.