Ultrastructural studies on the reproductive system of Gyrocotylidea and Amphilinidea (Cestoda) (original) (raw)

Summary

The vitellaria, vitellocyte development and vitelloduct of Gyrocotyle urna are described at the ultrastructural level. Vitellar follicles are surrounded by an extracellular lamina; vitellocytes and the periphery of the follicles are enclosed by a cytoplasmic sheath. Immature vitellocytes are spherical and show a high nucleus-to-plasma ratio. During maturation of vitellocytes their cytoplasmic content increases and numerous dictyosomes, endoplasmic reticulum, egg-shell granules and lipid droplets are formed. Lipid droplets and egg-shell granules fill most of the volume of mature vitellocytes. The vitelloduct is ciliated and shows intraepithelial nuclei and intraluminal folds. No cell borders have been found within the vitelloduct. Vitellogenesis and the vitelloduct morphology of Gyrocotyle are compared with those of other parasitic Plathelminthes.

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Abbreviations

I :

immature vitellocyte

II :

maturing vitellocyte

III :

mature vitellocyte

Az :

cytoplasmic sheath surrounding the vitellocytes and the follicle

bb :

basal body

ci :

cilia of the vitelloduct

ld :

lipid droplet

mi :

mitochondrium

nu :

nucleus

rer :

rough endoplasmic reticulum

sg :

egg-shell granulum

ve :

vesicles

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  1. W. E. R. Xylander
    Present address: Institut für Allgemeine und Spezielle Zoologie, Stephanstrasse 24, D-6300, Giessen, Federal Republic of Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. II. Zoologisches Institut und Museum der Universität, Berliner Strasse 28, D-3400, Göttingen, Federal Republic of Germany
    W. E. R. Xylander

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Xylander, W.E.R. Ultrastructural studies on the reproductive system of Gyrocotylidea and Amphilinidea (Cestoda).Zoomorphology 107, 293–297 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00312175

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