Immunomicroscopic studies on the neuromusculature of the diplozoid monogenean, Eudiplozoon nipponicum, during fusion and maturation.
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2001 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | 4th International Symposium on Monogenea. Abstract Book. |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Zoology |
| Keywords | monogenea; neuromascular system; confocal microscopy |
| Description | Diplozoidae monogeneans are unique fish-gill parasites comprising two individuals fused in permanent copula. Fusion begins when two larvae (diporpae) meet on the host gill, prompting maturation to the adult worm. We have examined microscopically the neuromusculature of Eudiplozoon nipponicum to explore neuromuscular involvement in fusion. Cholinergic, aminergic and peptidergic neuronal elements were demonstrated by enzyme- and immuno-cytochemistry in conjunction with confocal microscopy. FITC-labelled phalloidin was a probe for F-actin. Electron immunogold-labeling revealed peptide immunoreactivity subcellularly. The nervous system was strongly reactive for co-localised cholinergic and peptidergic pathways and for separate pathways of aminergic elements. There was strong innervation to the pharynx, attachment sucker and clamps of the diporpa. Neuronal pathways of worm pairs are separate, with no obvious fusion. Muscle systems are dominated by extensive somatic fibres, buccal suckers, haptoral clamps and, in early stages, a transient ventral sucker. Diagonal fibres largely comprise the diporpa body wall and longitudinal muscle bundles run from forebody to haptor. EM confirmed neuropeptide-immunolocalisation in dense-cored vesicles in axons of both CNS and PNS. The structural complexity of the neuromusculature reflects its importance in host attachment, and in the processes of body contact, twisting/fusion in larval pairing. |
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