Growth Inhibition of Caenorhabditis elegans and Panagrellus redivivus by Selected Mammalian and Insect Hormones.

Caenorhabditis elegans and Panagrellus redivivus were cultured in axenic medium in microwells. The addition of selected steroids and terpenoids to the medium caused quantitative inhibition of numbers of offspring produced per well. Three out of 14 vertebrate sex hormones and analogs, and seven out of 10 insect juvenile hormones and analogs inhibited growth at 25 or 50 micrograms per ml. In addition, two insecticide synergists which mimic juvenile hormones, propyl 2-propynyl phenyl phosphonate and piperonyl butoxide, inhibited growth at 7 mug/ml. Total lipids from Panagrellus and from Nematospiroides dubius were inhibitory. Separation by silicic acid column chromatography yielded active and inactive portions. We concluded that the inhibition observed was non-specific.