Biogenic amines in Drosophila virilis under stress conditions.

The effect of heat stress (38 degrees C) on the content of DL-beta-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)alanine (DOPA), dopamine, tyramine, octopamine, and their precursor Tyr was studied in adults of two lines of Drosophila virilis contrasting in their stress response. In individuals of line 101 responding to stress by a hormonal stress reaction, the contents of DOPA, dopamine, octopamine, and Tyr were lower than those of line 147 that did not respond to the stress. However, heat stress caused an increase in the contents of DOPA, dopamine, octopamine, and Tyr in line 101, whereas the equivalent titers in line 147 remain unchanged.