IMMUNOMODULATION OF HOUSE FLIES EXPOSED TO AZADIRACHTIN

Abstract

In this study the lethal and sub-lethal effects of azadirachtin on adult house flies, and the main variations in theirimmune-related gene expression levels were detected. Flies acquiring azadirachtin by ingestion showed differentdegrees of susceptibility depending on concentration and time of exposure to this compound, with LC50valuecorresponding to 101.14 µg/ml, after five days of exposure to a dose of 7.5 µl/fly/day. Flies surviving ingestion of sub-lethal concentrations showed significant decrease in their lifespan and reproductive performance, including fecundityand percentage of egg hatching.A significant immune-stimulation effect of lower azadirachtin concentrations (25 µg/ml), and a generalimmunosuppression of most AMPs (i.e. attacin, cecropin, defensin,diptericin and muscin) at higher concentrationlevels (100 µg/ml) were observed. This study highlights the immunodeficiency potential of azadirachtin, providing new insights into understandingthe physiological response of Musca domesticato this botanical compound at the molecular level.