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Trematode reproduction in the molluscan host: an ultrastructural study of the germinal mass in the rediae of Himasthla elongata (Mehlis, 1831) (Digenea: Echinostomatidae)

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Abstract

The germinal mass in Himasthla elongata rediae was studied in detail using transmission electron microscopy. It was shown to be a specialized reproductive organ consisting of germinal cells at various maturation stages, supporting cells and stem cells. The germinal mass also contains early cercarial embryos emerging as a result of cleavage division of mature germinal cells. The stem cells that give rise to germinal cells have heterochromatin-rich nuclei with distinct nucleoli and scarce cytoplasm containing mainly free ribosomes and few mitochondria. The differentiating germinal cells undergo a growth, which is accompanied by an emergence of annulate lamellae and the nuage in their cytoplasm, a noticeable development of RER and Golgi apparatus and an increase in the number of mitochondria. The mitochondria form a large group at one of the cell poles. During differentiation, the nucleus and nucleolus of the germinal cell enlarge while the chromatin becomes gradually less condensed. The supporting tissue of the germinal mass is made up of cells connected by septate junctions. These supporting cells are distinctly different in cellular shape and nuclear ultrastructure. Their outgrowths form a tight meshwork housing stem cells, germinal cells and early cercarial embryos. The cytoplasm of the supporting cells in the mesh area is separated into fine parallel layers by labyrinthine narrow cavities communicating with the intercellular space. The supporting tissue contains differentiating and degenerating cells which indicates its renewal. The results of this ultrastructural study lend support to the hypothesis that the germinal cells of digeneans are germ line cells.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (grant no 13-04-00875). The authors are deeply grateful to Mr. AE Tenison for his technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Laboratory of Parasitic Worms, Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Universitetskaya nab., 1, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia

    Irina M. Podvyaznaya & Kirill V. Galaktionov

  2. Department of Invertebrate Zoology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, 199034, Russia

    Kirill V. Galaktionov

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  1. Irina M. Podvyaznaya
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  2. Kirill V. Galaktionov
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Correspondence to Irina M. Podvyaznaya.

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Podvyaznaya, I.M., Galaktionov, K.V. Trematode reproduction in the molluscan host: an ultrastructural study of the germinal mass in the rediae of Himasthla elongata (Mehlis, 1831) (Digenea: Echinostomatidae). Parasitol Res 113, 1215–1224 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-014-3760-9

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