Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Associations between fatigue impact and physical and neurobehavioural factors: An exploration in people with progressive multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis and related disorders·2024

Same author

Comparison of effect of CTG + STan with CTG alone on emergency Cesarean section rate: STan Australian Randomized controlled Trial (START).

Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology : the official journal of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology·2023

Same author

Profiling cognitive-motor interference in a large sample of persons with progressive multiple sclerosis and impaired processing speed: results from the CogEx study.

Journal of neurology·2023

Same author

Data harmonization for collaborative research among MS registries: A case study in employment.

Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England)·2020

Same author

Comparing the effect of STan (cardiotocographic electronic fetal monitoring (CTG) plus analysis of the ST segment of the fetal electrocardiogram) with CTG alone on emergency caesarean section rates: study protocol for the STan Australian Randomised controlled Trial (START).

Trials·2019

Same author

Carbetocin reduces the need for additional uterotonics in elective caesarean delivery: a systematic review, meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomised controlled trials.

International journal of obstetric anesthesia·2019

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

A Caenorhabditis elegans Nutritional-status Based Copper Aversion Assay

A Caenorhabditis elegans Nutritional-status Based Copper Aversion Assay

Published on: July 26, 2017

Octopamine alters yellow mealworm body composition.

V Hill¹, L Williams¹, A Salter¹

¹School of Biosciences, University of Nottingham, Loughborough LE12 5RD, UK.

Animal : an International Journal of Animal Bioscience

|April 13, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Octopamine (OA) supplementation in yellow mealworms significantly increased protein content and decreased fat. This manipulation of insect nutrient composition shows potential for creating higher-value sustainable protein feed ingredients.

Keywords:

Deposition Insects Monoamine Nutrients Repartitioning

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Development and Challenges of Feeding Assays for Insect Pest Management

Author Spotlight: Development and Challenges of Feeding Assays for Insect Pest Management

Published on: May 26, 2023

Author Spotlight: Analysis of Ovarian Anatomy in Migratory Insects to Overcome Experimental Challenges

Author Spotlight: Analysis of Ovarian Anatomy in Migratory Insects to Overcome Experimental Challenges

Published on: July 14, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 12, 2026

A Caenorhabditis elegans Nutritional-status Based Copper Aversion Assay

A Caenorhabditis elegans Nutritional-status Based Copper Aversion Assay

Published on: July 26, 2017

Author Spotlight: Development and Challenges of Feeding Assays for Insect Pest Management

Author Spotlight: Development and Challenges of Feeding Assays for Insect Pest Management

Published on: May 26, 2023

Author Spotlight: Analysis of Ovarian Anatomy in Migratory Insects to Overcome Experimental Challenges

Author Spotlight: Analysis of Ovarian Anatomy in Migratory Insects to Overcome Experimental Challenges

Published on: July 14, 2023

Area of Science:

Insect nutrition and sustainable protein production
Comparative endocrinology of invertebrates and vertebrates
Biotechnology for enhanced feed ingredients

Background:

The insect industry is emerging as a source of sustainable protein.
Octopamine (OA), a monoamine in invertebrates, is functionally similar to noradrenaline in mammals.
Beta-2 adrenergic agonists in mammals improve body composition by increasing protein and decreasing fat.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the effects of octopamine (OA) on the growth and body composition of Tenebrio molitor larvae.
To determine if OA can induce favorable changes in insect body composition, similar to beta-2 adrenergic agonists in mammals.
To assess the potential of OA as a tool for enhancing the nutritional value of mealworms for feed.

Main Methods:

Tenebrio molitor larvae were fed a diet containing octopamine (OA) at 5 μg/g or a control diet for 35 days.
Larval weight, group weight, and cumulative pupation rates were monitored throughout the feeding period.
Proximate nutrient composition (fat, crude protein) and fatty acid profiles of the mealworms were analyzed at the end of the study.

Main Results:

Octopamine (OA) supplementation showed trends towards increased larval and group weight after 18 days and delayed pupation.
After 35 days, OA treatment significantly decreased fat content by 8% and increased crude protein (CP) by 6% in mealworm dry matter.
OA had minimal impact on fatty acid composition, with slight reductions in palmitoleic and oleic acids.

Conclusions:

Octopamine (OA) treatment effectively manipulated mealworm body composition, increasing protein and reducing fat content.
These findings demonstrate the potential to enhance the nutritional profile of mealworms, making them a more valuable feed ingredient.
OA supplementation offers a promising strategy for improving the sustainability and quality of insect-based protein production.