Ultrasound Induced Enhancement of Protein Metabolism and Enzyme Activities in the Silk Gland of Fifth Instar Silkworm, Bombyx mori L

The parameters of protein metabolism, such as the levels of total, soluble proteins and free amino acids and also the activity levels of protease, glutamate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase were assayed in the silk gland of the fifth instar larva of silkworm, Bombyx mori, under the impact of ultrasound. In general ultrasound has an elevatory effect on these parameters. Changes in the levels of these biochemical constituents are correlated with the events of histogenesis and histolysis associated with the silkworm metamorphosis. Under the influence of ultrasound protein metabolism is stimulated to achieve greater turnover of silk proteins, greater spinning activity and consequently greater sericultural output.