抄録
Hemocytic ractions in relation to larval development of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, were studied by injecting goose erythrocytes (GRBCs) into the hemocoel. Prior to this study, the changes in the total hemocyte counts (THCs) and available hemolymph volume (AHV) were studied using the larvae 3hr after moult in order to determine GRBC concentration and the volume injected at each instar. There was a gradual increase in THCs and AHV from the 1st to the 3rd instar, while THCs and AHV increased remarkably from the 4th to the 5th instar. The hemocytic reactions to GRBCs were readily observed 3 hr after injection, and the results showed that the ability to induce a primary respnse (cyto-adherence) increased during post-embryonic development. The hemocyte types involved in this cyto-adherence included plasmatocytes and granular cells. The latter, in particular, showed a high adherent ability. Since the number of granular cells was increasing with age, it seemed likely that an increase of hemocytic reactions to GRBCs was due to the increase of granular cells.
