In addition to pesticidal activity, the capacity of natural compounds to inhibit the reproduction of parasites emerge as an important alternative tick control method. In this context, Satureja spp. stand out due to their recognized pesticidal properties. Among parasites of veterinary importance, the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, is responsible for great economic losses in livestock and transmission of relevant pathogens. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of the essential oil of Satureja montana L. on the ovary morphology of R. microplus engorged females through histological and histochemical techniques. The most remarkable morphological changes found were: cytoplasmic vacuolation of germ cells, irregular and thicker chorion, irregular oocyte shape, ring-shaped nucleolus, decrease in protein and carbohydrate content in oocytes, in addition to cellular changes in the oviduct and pedicel. All morphological changes were assessed using a semiquantitative method already established in the literature. Ticks exposed to 5.0 μl/ml of essential oil showed the most significant changes when compared to control groups. Thus, the essential oil of S. montana L. damaged the reproductive system of R. microplus, which may impair ticks' offspring production and promote a long-term control of this species.

中文翻译：

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Satureja montana L. 精油对充血的 Rhipicephalus microplus 雌性蜱（Acari：Ixodidae）卵母细胞的细胞毒性作用

除了杀虫活性之外，天然化合物抑制寄生虫繁殖的能力成为一种重要的替代蜱控制方法。在这种情况下，Satureja spp。因其公认的杀虫特性而脱颖而出。在兽医学上重要的寄生虫中，牛蜱（Rhipicephalus microplus）是造成牲畜巨大经济损失和相关病原体传播的原因。因此，本研究的目的是评估不同浓度的Satureja montana L.精油对R. microplus卵巢形态的影响通过组织学和组织化学技术使女性充血。发现的最显着的形态变化是：生殖细胞胞质空泡化，绒毛膜不规则加厚，卵母细胞形状不规则，核仁呈环状，卵母细胞中蛋白质和碳水化合物含量减少，以及输卵管和花梗的细胞变化。使用文献中已经建立的半定量方法评估所有形态变化。与对照组相比，接触 5.0 μl/ml 精油的蜱表现出最显着的变化。因此，S. montana L.的精油损害了R. microplus的生殖系统，这可能会损害蜱的后代生产并促进对该物种的长期控制。