Effects of abrogation of ecdysone signaling on niche function.

LL3 ovaries were stained with anti-pMAD antibody and scanned in a confocal microscope. Identical settings were used for all ovaries. Intensity levels of pMAD labeling in PGCs that are close to the forming niches were analyzed using the Image J program. No change in pMAD labeling of EcR-RNAi ovaries as compared to WT could be observed, indicating that the early forming niches in EcR-RNAi ovaries are fully functional. pMAD levels in EcRA.W650A germ cells were reduced, reflecting the general reduced ovarian size, and reduced amounts of niche cells, which produce Dpp.