Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Histochemical evidence of the catecholamine-associated nervous system in certain schistosome cercariae

  • Original Investigations
  • Published:
Parasitology Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The localization of catecholamines was documented in the cercaria ofSchistosoma mansoni andS. japonicum by a fluorescent histochmical method using glyoxylic acid (GA). Cell bodies and nerve fibres were spatially visualized in wholemount preparations, and the fluorescent traces were investigated. The nervous system was bilaterally symmetrical, showing a similar formation in both species. A pair of cerebral ganglia with a transverse commussure showed a complex network of fluorophores, and each radiated two sets of anterior and posterior longitudinal nerve cords. A third pair of longitudinal nerve cords was observed in the most dorsal area. A posterior transverse commissure was seen to connect the posterior longitudinal cords, and the posterior terminals of the postero-ventral cords communicated with the tail cords. The glyoxylic acid-induced fluorescence (GAIF) method was demonstrated to be quite suitable for neuroanatomical and neurophysiological investigations of larval forms.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bennett J, Bueding E (1971) Localization of biogeneic amines inSchistosoma mansoni. Comp Biochem Physiol A39:859–867

    Google Scholar 

  • Björklund A, Lindvall O, Svensson LÅ (1972) Mechanisms of fluorophore formation in the histochemical glyoxylic acid method for monoamines. Histochemie 32:113–131

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruckner DA, Voge M (1974) The nervous system of larvalSchistosoma mansoni as revealed by acetylcholinesterase staining. J Parasitol 60:437–446

    Google Scholar 

  • Chiba T, Hwang BH, Williams TH (1976) A method for studying glyoxylic acid induced fluorescence and ultrastructure of monoamine neurons. Histochmistry 49:95–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Chou TCT, Bennett J, Bueding E (1972) Occurrence and concentrations of biogenic amines in trematodes. J Parasitol 58:1098–1102

    Google Scholar 

  • Fripp PJ (1967) Histochemical localization of esterase activity in schistosomes. Exp Parasitol 21:380–390

    Google Scholar 

  • Gianutsos G, Bennett JL (1977) The regional distribution of dopamine and norepinephrine inSchistosoma mansoni andFasciola hepatica. Comp Biochem Physiol C58:157–159

    Google Scholar 

  • König R (1979) Consecutive demonstration of catecholamines and dopamine-β-hydroxylase within the same specimen. Histochemistry 61:301–305

    Google Scholar 

  • Korkala O, Waris T (1977) The acetylcholinesterase reaction and catecholamine fluorescence in the glomus cells of rat carotid body. Experientia 33:1363–1364

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewert RM, Hopkins DR (1965) Cholinesterase activity inSchistosoma mansoni cercariae. J Parasitol 51:616

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindvall O, Björklund A (1974) The glyoxylic acid fluorescence histochemical method: a detailed account of the methodology for the visualization of central catecholamine neurons. Histochemistry 39:97–127

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindvall O, Björklund A, Svensson LÅ (1974) Fluorophore formation from catecholamines and related compounds in the glyoxylic acid fluorescence histochemical method. Histochemistry 39:197–227

    Google Scholar 

  • Machado CRS, Machado ABM, Pellegrino J (1972) Catecholamine-containing neurons inSchistosoma mansoni. Z Zellforsch 124:230–237

    Google Scholar 

  • Mansour TE (1984) Serotonin receptors in parasitic worms. Adv Parasitol 23:1–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Nakajima Y (1987) Localization of catecholaminergic nerves in larval echinoderms. Zool Sci 4:293–299

    Google Scholar 

  • Niewiadomska K, Moczoń T (1982) The nervous system ofDiplostomun pseudospathaceum Niewiadomska, (Digenea, Diplostomatidae): I. Nervous system and chaetotaxy in the cercaria. Z Parasitenkd 68:295–304

    Google Scholar 

  • Pax RA, Siefker C, Bennett JL (1984)Schistosoma mansoni: differences in acetylcholine, dopamine, and serotonin control of circular and longitudinal parasite muscles. Exp Parasitol 58:314–324

    Google Scholar 

  • Reger JF (1976) Studies on the fine structure of cercarial tail muscle ofSchistosoma sp. (Trematoda). J Ultrastruct Res 57:77–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharpe MJ, Atkinson HJ (1980) Improved visualization of dopaminergic neurons in nematodes using the glyoxylic acid fluorescence method. J Zool 190:273–284

    Google Scholar 

  • Smyth JD, Halton DW (1983) The physiology of trematodes, 2nd edn. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge London New York New Rochelle Melbourne Sydney

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiekotter KL (1988) Histofluorescent and ultrastructural identification of aminergic processes in the opisthaptor of the marine monogene,Microcotyle sebastis (Polyopisthocotylea: Microcotylinae). Proc Helminthol Soc Wash 55:229–245

    Google Scholar 

  • Tomosky TK, Bennett JL, Bueding E (1974) Tryptaminergic and dopaminergic responses ofSchistosoma mansoni. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 190:260–271

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine, University of the Ryukyus, 903-01, Nishihara, Okinawa, Japan

    Y. Orido

Authors
  1. Y. Orido
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Orido, Y. Histochemical evidence of the catecholamine-associated nervous system in certain schistosome cercariae. Parasitol Res 76, 146–149 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00930837

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00930837

Keywords

Search

Navigation