Schistosoma japonicum: ultrastructural changes in the tegument during cercaria-schistosomulum transformation
Irie, Y.; Yasuraoka, K.
Japanese Journal of Experimental Medicine 51(1): 53-63
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-5031 PMID: 7311078 Document Number: 181139
Tegumental changes in Schistosoma japonicum cercariae were initiated in NCTC 109 containing antibiotics. In some regions the tegument was covered with a penta- or heptalaminate membrane, and the surface coat changed to an electron-dense, amorphous material. Large vacuoles limited by a multilaminate membrane were evident in the tegumental cytoplasm, and some appeared to join or open to the tegument. After 4 h incubation in NCTC 109 containing 50% fresh rabbit serum, the outer tegumental membrane of the schistosomulum became heptalaminate. Within 72 h the tegument was covered with a heptalaminate membrane over a greater part of the body, and the amorphous material was very reduced. Large vacuoles in the tegument disappeared and tegumental folds developed in some regions. No amorphous material existed on the surface of 10-day schistosomula and the outer membrane of the tegument was heptalaminate in almost all regions of the body. [AS].