Assay and characterisation of diuretic factors in insects

Direct and indirect assays of diuresis in insects are reviewed and their advantages and disadvantages discussed in relation to their use during the isolation and characterisation of diuretic factors. The nature of known and putative diuretic peptides is contrasted and points of controversy over the identity of these peptides highlighted. The isolation and characterisation of a putative diuretic peptide from Acheta domesticus is discussed as a case study in the purification and characterisation of such peptides.