Prostaglandins in the saliva of the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus (Canestrini) (Acarina, Ixodidae)

Saliva was obtained by applying capillary tubes to the mouthparts of the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus (Can.), after the subcuticular injection of pilocarpine hydrochloride. Acid-lipid extracts of this saliva showed prostaglandin (PG)-like activity on bioassay. Chromatographic studies confirmed this activity as being due to PGE2. Extracts from homogenates of B. microplus larvae and salivary gland tissue also showed prostaglandin-like activity. A role for PGs in B. microplus feeding mechanisms is discussed.