Rhodnius prolixus is the principal vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, the aetiological agent of Chagas disease in American countries. This insect is haematophagous during all life cycles and, to antagonize its haemostatic, inflammatory and immune systems, it secretes saliva while feeding on the vertebrate host's blood. Here, we investigated characteristic changes of the salivary glands (SG) that occur during insect development. Two pairs of lobules and ducts comprise the SG of R. prolixus. The organ's size increases over time, but the microanatomical structures are preserved during insect development. Both lobules have a single layer epithelium formed by binucleated cells, which surrounds the saliva reservoir. The principal lobule presents higher polysaccharide and total protein contents than the accessory lobe. A network of external muscle layers is responsible for organ contraction and saliva release. Apocrine, merocrine and holocrine secretion types occur in the secretory epithelium. Dopamine, serotonin and tyrosine-hydroxylase are neural-related molecules that regulate SG function both during and after feeding.

Rhodnius prolixus是美洲锥虫病的病原体克氏锥虫的主要媒介。这种昆虫在所有生命周期中都是吸血的，为了对抗其止血、炎症和免疫系统，它在以脊椎动物宿主的血液为食时分泌唾液。在这里，我们调查了昆虫发育过程中发生的唾液腺 (SG) 的特征性变化。两对小叶和导管组成R. prolixus的 SG. 器官的大小随着时间的推移而增加，但在昆虫发育过程中保留了显微解剖结构。两个小叶都有一个由双核细胞形成的单层上皮细胞，围绕着唾液库。主叶的多糖和总蛋白含量高于副叶。外部肌肉层网络负责器官收缩和唾液释放。顶泌、merocrine 和 holocrine 分泌类型发生在分泌上皮中。多巴胺、5-羟色胺和酪氨酸羟化酶是神经相关分子，可在喂食期间和喂食后调节 SG 功能。