Engorgement weights of female ticks.

<p>Tick engorgement weights (mg) from both Rep-MP RNAi and Aa-41580 RNAi ticks fed on sheep. Am-41580 RNAi knockdown caused a significant reduction in tick weights (P < 0.05) compared with the (No Treatment) control; weights were measured on day 10. The size of the ds-Lac-Z (irrelevant RNA)-treated sample was significantly reduced during feeding and was not included in the analysis. RNAi knockdown of the reprolysin family significantly reduced tick weight (P < 0.05) compared with both controls.