Abstract

Asexual reproduction in the decapitated planaria, Dugesia dorotocephala, is inhibited by an extract of homogenized heads of the same or closely-related species. Decapitated planaria allowed to regenerate have reproduced asexually over 80% of the time, while those that have been cultured in a suspension of head homogenate have had asexual reproduction inhibited to less than 10%. The substance that inhibits asexual reproduction is heat labile. It requires a concentration of 2.0 heads/ml that contains .13 mg protein/ml to effectively inhibit asexual reproduction. A similar concentration of head homogenate from the related planaria, Dugesia tigrina, also contains the inhibitory substance. Head homogenate from the white planaria, Phagocata oregonensis, does not inhibit asexual reproduction. A preliminary study of other animal tissues indicates that brain homogenate from the chicken, fish, salamander, and gerbil inhibits, while a liver homogenate from these animals does not inhibit as much.

Degree

College and Department

Life Sciences; Plant and Wildlife Sciences

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