Abstract:

Ticks are a specific group of arthropods. The knowledge of reproductive physiology in ticks is very limited as compared to insects. Vitellogenesis directly influences tick reproductive ability, and is always a very active research field in tick physiology. At present, the research mainly concentrates on vitellin purification and characterization, vitellogenin synthesis and hormonal regulation, vitellogenin absorption and processing. Vitellogenesis is regulated by hormones. There are obvious differences between hard ticks and soft ticks in hormonal effects and sorts. The knowledge of tick vitellogenesis is preliminary, and further research should be made in many aspects.

Key words: Ticks, vitellogenesis, vitellin, vitellogenin, hormonal regulation, research advances