# Endocrinology of Mosquito Reproduction

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA · 2021 · $355,000

## Abstract

Project Summary
Mosquitoes are well recognized as the most important arthropod vectors of disease-causing
pathogens. This is because most species are anautogenous and must feed on the blood of a
human or other vertebrate to produce eggs. Multiple cycles of blood feeding and egg
development in turn favors frequent contacts with hosts, which makes mosquitoes ideal
vectors for pathogen transmission. Since disruption of egg production also disables pathogen
transmission, understanding the reproduction of anautogenous mosquitoes is an important
area of study. This application is a renewal request to continue our work on how egg
development is regulated. Our current award focuses on Aedes aegypti, which is the primary
vector of the pathogens that cause Dengue Fever, Zika Virus syndrome and several other
human diseases. Our studies indicate that two neurohormones, ovary ecdysteroidogenic
hormone (OEH) and insulin-like peptides (ILPs) function as key regulators of the egg
development process. The overall goal of this application is to understand how ILP and OEH
signaling are tuned to regulate the different processes required for egg production. The
studies we propose are innovative because they will be the first to link receptor binding
preferences to the function of different ILP family members and OEH. Proposed Specific
Aims are to:
 1. Characterize the expression and receptor binding properties of different ILP family
 members and OEH.
 2. Characterize the pre- and post-vitellogenic functions of ILPs and OEH.
 3. Identify the factors that link nutrient acquisition after blood feeding to ILP and OEH
release.
Expected outcomes will enhance understanding of how egg formation is regulated in
mosquitoes. Our study will significantly impact the field of vector biology by identifying new
potential targets for disrupting female reproduction.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10164706
- **Project number:** 5R01AI033108-26
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael Strand
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $355,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1992-07-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10164706

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10164706, Endocrinology of Mosquito Reproduction (5R01AI033108-26). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10164706. Licensed CC0.

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