Ultrastructure of the pericardium in chitons (Mollusca: Polyplacophora), in relation to filtration and contraction mechanisms

Summary The pericardium in Lepidopleurus asellus (Spengler), Tonicella marmorea (Fabricius), T. rubra L., Ischnochiton albus L., and Calleochiton laevis (Montagu), species taxonomically far apart, is described. It consists of a flat, simple epithelium facing the pericardial cavity, a basement membrane, a muscle layer with two types of muscle fibres, nerve processes, glio-interstitial cells, and fibrocytes, embedded in a loose collagen matrix. The epithelium in L. asellus and I. albus have convoluted lateral cell borders, and in L. asellus very long basal cell processes are seen. Type 1 muscle fibres resemble smooth molluscan muscle. Type 2 muscle fibres resemble cardiac muscle fibres in chitons. Nerve processes associated with glio-interstitial cells and cell processes, run free in the matrix. Synapses in type 1 fibres are covered with glio-interstitial cell processes, lacking in type 2 muscle fibres synapses.This work was supported by grants from the Norwegian Research Council for Science and the Humanities     

The arrangement of neurosecretory and catecholamine fibres in relation to the pituitary intermedia cells of the skate,Raja radiata

Summary The innervation pattern of the intermediate lobe of the skate (Raja radiata) was studied with histological and fluorescence histochemical methods. Neurosecretory fibres, stained with i.a. pseudo-iso-cyanine, were found running in bundles in the central parts of the cell cords. They terminated partly around the perinuclear parts of the intermedia cells, partly around the apices of the cells close to the vascular walls.A catecholamine innervation of the intermedia was also established. Catecholaminecontaining fibres with the appearance of nerve terminals were found around the intermedia cell apices close to the vessels. In some specimens, catecholamine fibres also seemed to terminate at the perinuclear parts of the cells.Thus it is possible, judging solely from structural relations, that both the cell body (the synthesis pole) and the cell apex (the release pole) receive a dual innervation. Recent experimental evidence indicates that the release of MSH from the pars intermedia is controlled by catecholamine fibres, but as yet there is only structural evidence for a special control of hormone synthesis.This study was supported by grants from the Swedish Natural Science Research Council (No. 99-35 and 2126-2) and was carried out within a research organization sponsored by the Swedish Medical Research Council (Projects No. B70-14X-712-05 and B70-14X-56-06).     

Catecholaminergic innervation of muscles in the hindgut of crustaceans

Summary The crustacean species Pacifastacus leniusculus and Gammarus pulex were investigated by electron microscopy in a search for possible neuromuscular junctions in the hindgut, which has a rich supply of catecholaminergic fibres. True neuromuscular synapses were found in both species between nerve terminals containing dense-core vesicles (80–110 nm in diam.) and muscle fibres. We suggest that the dense-core vesicle terminals contain a catecholamine, and this is supported by ultrahistochemical tests for monoamines. Two types of junctions are found: one in which the nerve terminal is embedded in the muscle cell (both species) and one in which protrusions from the muscle cell meet nerve terminals (Pacifastacus). Gammarus pulex, which has only circular muscles in the hindgut, has only catecholaminergic innervation, whereas Pacifastacus leniusculus has circular and longitudinal muscles both with at least two types of innervation.The investigation was supported by grants from the Swedish Natural Science Research Council (B 2760-009), the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, and the Magnus Bergvall Foundation. We are also indebted to Mrs. Lena Sandell for her skilful technical assistance     

The effect of caffeine,different fixation regimes and low temperature on microtubules in the cells of higher plants

Caffeine, (1:3:7-tri-methyl-xanthine), either as a prefixation treatment or included with glutaralde-hyde as the primary fixative, destroys or disorganises the microtubules associated with the formation of secondary walls in fibres from the flowering stem of the grass Lolium temulentum L. There is no observable effect of caffeine treatment on the microtubules associated with primary wall formation in collenchyma and young fibres from L. temulentum or in root cap cells of Zea mays L. and Phaseolus vulgaris L. The microtubules associated with primary wall formation are destroyed by cold treatment but not those associated with secondary wall formation. Tannic acid included in the fixative shows the microtubules associated with secondary wall formation in fibres of L. temulentum to be composed of 13 subunits. Treatment with lanthanum hydroxide does not stain the core or the halo of the microtubules.Abbreviation PIPES Piperazine N-N- bis 2 ethanol sulphonic acid The Grassland Research Institute is financed through the Agricultural Research Council     

Neural organisation in the first optic ganglion of the nocturnal bee <Emphasis Type="Italic">Megalopta genalis</Emphasis>

Each neural unit (cartridge) in the first optic ganglion (lamina) of the nocturnal bee Megalopta genalis contains nine receptor cell axons (6 short and 3 long visual fibres), and four different types of first-order interneurons, also known as L-fibres (L1 to L4) or lamina monopolar cells. The short visual fibres terminate within the lamina as three different types (svf 1, 2, 3). The three long visual fibres pass through the lamina without forming characteristic branching patterns and terminate in the second optic ganglion, the medulla. The lateral branching pattern of svf 2 into adjacent cartridges is unique for hymenopterans. In addition, all four types of L-fibres show dorso-ventrally arranged, wide, lateral branching in this nocturnal bee. This is in contrast to the diurnal bees Apis mellifera and Lasioglossum leucozonium, where only two out of four L-fibre types (L2 and L4) reach neighbouring cartridges. In M. genalis, L1 forms two sub-types, viz. L1-a and L1-b; L1-b in particular has the potential to contact several neighbouring cartridges. L2 and L4 in the nocturnal bee are similar to L2 and L4 in the diurnal bees but have dorso-ventral arborisations that are twice as wide. A new type of laterally spreading L3 has been discovered in the nocturnal bee. The extensive neural branching pattern of L-fibres in M. genalis indicates a potential role for these neurons in the spatial summation of photons from large groups of ommatidia. This specific adaptation in the nocturnal bee could significantly improve reliability of vision in dim light. B.G. is grateful for travel awards from the Royal Physiographic Society, the Per Westlings Fond, the Foundation of Dagny and Eilert Ekvall and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. E.J.W. acknowledges the receipt of a Smithsonian Short-Term Research Fellowship and thanks the Swedish Research Council, the Crafoord Foundation, the Wenner–Gren Foundation and the Royal Physiographic Society of Lund for their ongoing support. W.T.W. was supported by general research funds from the Smithonian Tropical Research Institute     

Quantitative studies on the distribution of myofilaments in intrafusal muscle fibres

Summary Muscle spindles contain two types of intrafusal muscle fibre, nuclear bag fibres and nuclear chain fibres. The intrafusal fibres of rabbit and guinea pig spindles have been studied using quantitative stereological techniques at the ultrastructural level. The crosssectional areas occupied by myofilaments have been measured in the polar and equatorial regions of both types of intrafusal fibre. There are considerably fewer myofilaments in the equatorial regions of both types of fibre compared with their polar regions.This work was carried out with the aid of grants from the Medical Research Council and the Science Research Council of Great Britain.     

Fine structural and cytochemical study of the innervation of smooth muscle in an amphibian (Bufo marinus) lung before and after denervation

Summary The innervation of the toad (Bufo marinus) lung was studied with transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence techniques, both before and after 12 or 20 days close vagosympathetic denervation. Four cytologically distinct types of neuronal processes were recognised, in relation to the visceral muscles of the lung. These were described as cholinergic, adrenergic, nonadrenergic/non-cholinergic (NANC) and sensory on the basis of the characteristics of their vesicular content and cytochemical reactions. An apparent efferent innervation of visceral smooth muscle was achieved by NANC (50%), cholinergic (25%) and adrenergic (25%) fibres. A few sensory fibres were also present. After denervation only NANC fibres persisted, showing that the cell bodies of these fibres were intrapulmonary. The vascular smooth muscle was supplied by cholinergic, adrenergic and sensory fibres. In the walls of the proximal branches of the pulmonary artery were fibres containing large dense-cored vesicles. These profiles, which were associated with the vasa vasorum, were similar to neurosecretory fibres. After denervation all neural profiles associated with the vasculature had degenerated. The observations suggest that vagal vasodepressor effects in the toad lung are mediated indirectly through relaxation of visceral muscle strands which in their contracted state compress vascular channels.The authors would like to thank Dr. J.R. McLean for technical advice on fluorescence microscopy. This work was supported by a grant from the Australian Research Grants Committee     

Histochemical and Ultrastructural Features of the Biceps Brachii of the African Chameleon (Chamaeleo senegalensis)

Abstract Characteristics of reptilian muscle fibres were investigated in the biceps brachii of the African chameleon, Chamaeleo senegalensis. Fibres were classified as slow and fast. These types of fibre were distinguished on the basis of histochemical staining for myofibrillar ATPase (mATPase). Fast fibres stained dark for mATPase while slow fibres stained light. The patterns of innervation of slow and fast fibres were investigated by staining nerve endings for acetylcholinesterase activity. Slow fibres have a pattern of multiple innervation, whereas fast fibres are associated with individual endplates. The organization of the myofibrils and the sarcoplasmic reticulum in slow muscle fibres from the chameleon biceps brachii was compared with that in fast fibres. Slow fibres lacked an M-line and the Z-lines were uneven. They had fibrils that were not clearly separated from each other and the sarcoplasmic reticulum was poorly developed. These features are in sharp contrast to those of fast fibres which had straight Z-lines, clear M-lines and well-developed sarcoplasmic reticulum.     

The distribution of monoamines in the hypothalamus of the Japanese quail Coturnix coturnix japonica

Summary The distribution of monoamines in the hypothalamus of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) has been studied using a histochemical fluorescence technique. In the posterior hypothalamus catecholamine-containing nerve fibres are localised in the nucleus tuberis and nucleus hypothalamicus posterior medialis and are linked by fluorescent tracts running in the stratum cellulare internum. Further tracts may be traced from the nucleus tuberis around the base of the third ventricle to the sub-ependymal layer of the median eminence, where they then appear to pass through the hypothalamo-hypophysial neurosecretory tract to terminate in the palisade zone on the portal vascular bed. The innervation of the palisade layer by catecholamines is sparse. The fluorescent terminals are spread evenly throughout both the anterior and posterior divisions of the median eminence. There is no monoamine innervation of the pars nervosa. The paraventricular organ has both 5-hydroxytryptamine- and catecholamine-containing cell bodies and axons may be traced into the region of the nucleus hypothalamicus posterior medialis. In the anterior hypothalamus the neurosecretory paraventricular nucleus contains many catecholamine nerve fibres and terminals. These are linked by fibre tracts to the nucleus basalis and to the nucleus hypothalamicus posterior medialis. The supraoptic nucleus is less well innervated although a dense accumulation of fibres lies in the preoptic recess. The latter is thought to give rise to long axons which pass in association with the neurosecretory tract to end in the nucleus tuberis.Supported by a Grant (AG 24/36) from The Agricultural Research Council. We are indebted to Dr. G. A. Clayton, Institute of Animal Genetics, University of Edinburgh, for supplying the birds.     

Competence of blastomeres for the expression of molecular tissue markers is acquired by diverse mechanisms in the embryo of Platynereis (Annelida)

This paper is devoted to the role of cell divisions for the establishment of histospecificity in the embryo of the spiralian, Platynereis dumerilii (Annelida). We have incubated successive cleavage stages in cytochalasin B (CCB) and observed whether the cells thereafter were able to acquire the competence for expressing histospecific antigens of larval gland cells (labelled by the monoclonal antibody OI64) and of neural components of the ventral nerve cord (labelled by mAb OI7 or by testing acety1cholinesterase activity), respectively. Incubation in CCB results in permanent cleavage arrest, but does not necessarily interfere with biochemical differentiation of such markers. Synthesis of the differentiation marker specific for larval gland cells does not require any cleavages but this capacity becomes restricted to the 1a and 1b cell lines if cleavages are allowed to occur. In contrast, the progenitors of neural cells need at least 6.5 h of normal development before they acquire the competence to synthesize two neural differentiation markers, which can be demonstrated after at least two more days of development. Thus, prespecifying and diversifying cleavages are a prerequisite for neurogenesis and production of the investigated neural markers. Competence for the expression of histospecific antigens may also depend on cell-cell interactions. If 20–24 h old embryos are treated with puromycin, pioneering fibres fail to grow out from a pair of posterior nerve cell progenitors as they would have done normally 24–48 h after fertilization. Concomitantly, a number of potential nerve cells which now do not come into contact with pioneering fibres do not express the neural antigen. This suggests that a local inductive stimulus from the pioneering fibres normally imprints cell fate onto ventral plate cells and turns them into neuroblasts. Correspondence to: A.W.C. Dorresteijn     

Ultrastructure of the neurohypophysis of the teleost Poecilia latipinna in relation to neural control of the adenohypophysial cells

Summary The structure of the neurohypophysis of Poecilia latipinna (green molly, sailfin molly) was studied with the electron microscope. Profile diameters of neurosecretory granules in the non-myelinated neurohypophysial nerve fibres were measured and mathematically corrected for error due to section thickness. Six different types of nerve fibres could be distinguished by statistical classification of their granules and by other ultrastructural features. One fibre-type (type B) contained granules with a mean diameter of 85 nm, and the other five types (types Ala, Alb, A2, A3 and A4) all contained granules with mean diameters greater than 100 nm. Synaptic contacts were observed between type B fibres and all the adenohypophysial cell-types, although in the case of the ACTH cells the synapses were separated from the cell membrane by a continuous double basement membrane. Type A fibres were observed to contact the cells of the proximal pars distalis and pars intermedia, but did not form synapses. However, synapses occurred between type A fibres and pituicytes, and between type A fibres and the pericapillary basement membrane in the interior of the neurohypophysis. The possible roles of the different types of nerve fibres in controlling the adenohypophysial cells are discussed in the context of evidence from other teleosts.We thank Mr. W.A. Thomson and Mr. D.I. Hollingworth for technical assistance, and Dr. D.I.C. Pearson (Department of Physics, University of Nancy, Nancy, France) for advice on mathematical analysis and computer programs. The work was carried out during the tenure of an S.R.C. Research Studentship by T.F.C.B.     

Projection of statocyst sensory neurons associated with crescent hairs in the crayfish Procambarus clarkii Girard

Summary Both smooth muscle and striated muscle are present in the iris of the chick embryo. The two types of musculature form mixed clusters which include undifferentiated cells and many nerve fibres, but they are structurally quite distinct and have different origins. The smooth musculature originates around the 10th day from a laminar invagination (iridial lamella) of the posterior epithelium, and is therefore an ectodermal derivative. The striated musculature appears slightly later than the smooth musculature and originates from undifferentiated cells which are regarded as mesenchymal. After the 15th day in ovo the smooth musculature stops growing; its cells become confined to an area very near the pupillary margin and many develop pigment granules in the sarcoplasm. Many smooth muscle cells seem to undergo regressive changes; however, cells with the typical appearance of visceral muscle cells are still present in the iris of 3-month-old chickens. High density of innervation and vasculari/ation, wide range of striated muscle fibre diameters, presence of lipid vacuoles and of large clusters of mitochondria in the striated fibres, occurrence of peripheral couplings of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and presence of numerous fibroblast processes in the interstices between fibres, characterize the sphincter pupillae of the mature iris.This work was supported by grants from the Medical Research Council and the Central Research Fund of the University of London     

The heart Ultrastructure of lepidopleurus asellus (Spengler) and Tonicella marmorea (Fabricius) (Mollusca: Polyplacophora)

Summary The ultrastructure of the auricles, the ostia, and the ventricle of L. asellus and T. marmorea is described. The heart wall consists of an epicardium, a basement membrane, and an inner loose myocardium. The epicardial cells of the auricle are podocytes. The exposed cell body and the branched processes show pedicles. Ventricular epicardium is flat and simple. The slender, unbranched, mononucleated muscle fibres have a peripheral nucleus located midway along the fibre. Mitochondria are peripherally located, leaving the center to longitudinally running thick and thin myofilaments. Dense bodies and attachment plaques make up the Z-material. Sarcomeres and myofibrils are absent, as are transverse tubules and intercalated disks. The sarcoplasmic reticulum consists of peripheral tubules and subsarcolemmal cisternae, some of which radiate, branch, and run between myofilaments. Couplings are lacking. Ventricular fibres in T. marmorea show nexuses and desmosomes; in L. asellus only nexuses. The muscular ostia are tubular, and muscle fibres resemble those of the ventricle; nexuses are detected in T. marmorea and desmosomes in L. asellus. The only nervous elements observed are some nerve processes, structurally similar to those of other molluscs.Supported by grants from the Norwegian Research Council for Science and Humanities     

Observations on the fine structure,enzyme histochemistry,and innervation of parathyroid gland and ultimobranchial body of Chthonerpeton indistinctum (Gymnophiona,Amphibia)

Summary Fine structural and enzyme histochemical observations on ultimobranchial body and parathyroid gland of the caecilian Chthonerpeton are presented. The cell clusters and follicles of the ultimobranchial body consist mainly of granulated cells which are termed C-cells and obviously belong to the APUD cell series. In the larger follicles additional possibly exhausted degranulated cells and replacement cells occur. A rich supply of nerve fibres has been found in this gland. Frequently nerve terminals were observed to come into synaptic contact with the C-cells. Two categories of nerve fibres occur: a) fibres containing large polymorphic electron dense granules (probably purinergic fibres), b) fibres containing small electron transparent vesicles and a few electron dense granules (probably cholinergic fibres). The parathyroid gland consists of elongated cells (one cell type) poor in organelles and often containing fields of glycogen and lipid droplets. The cells are further characterized by fair amounts of lysosomal enzymes; they are interconnected by maculae adhaerentes and occludentes. No nerves and blood vessels have been found in the parathyroid gland of Chthonerpeton. This study has been supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft We 380/5.     

Neurochemical characterization of nervous elements innervating the body wall of earthworms (Lumbricus, Eisenia): immunohistochemical and pharmacological studies

The distribution and chemical neuroanatomy of nervous elements and certain pharmacological–physiological characteristics of the innervation of the body wall in earthworms are described. Solitary sensory bipolar cells can be found among the epithelial cells. These bipolar cells contain serotonin, tyrosine hydroxylase, histamine, gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA), Eisenia tetradecapeptide, proctolin or rhodopsin in various combinations. In the body wall, the plexus submuscularis is composed of nerve fibres only, whereas the plexus subepithelialis and muscularis also contain solitary nerve cells. These cells display histamine, GABA or neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity. The fibres of the three plexuses are reactive to serotonin, histamine, Eisenia tetradecapeptide, proctolin, GABA and neuropeptide Y antibodies. FMRFamide-immunoreactive fibres of the plexus muscularis originate from the central nervous system, whereas axons containing the other studied molecules are derived from both peripheral and central structures. High pressure liquid chromatography assays have revealed serotonin, dopamine and histamine in the body wall. Contractions of the body wall musculature can be elicited with serotonin and FMRFamide. Serotonin-evoked contractions are suppressed by the application of GABA. Serotonin acts both directly on the muscle cell receptors and indirectly through initiating transmitter release from the nervous elements, whereas the FMRFamide-induced contractions seem to be mediated through the muscle cell receptors only. The pharmacological profiles of the serotonin and GABA receptors resemble those of the vertebrate 5-HT₃ and GABA_B receptor types. Our findings indicate that both the sensory and efferent system of the annelid body wall operate by means of a variety of neuroactive compounds, suggesting a complex role of signalling systems in the regulation of this organ.This work was supported by the Hungarian Scientific Research Fund (OTKA; grant nos. T 34106 and T 34160). Márta Wilhelm is in receipt of a János Bolyai Scholarship.     

Cytological analysis of integumentary and muscular adaptations in three sand-dwelling marine teleosts,Ammodytes tobianus (Ammodytidae), Gorgasia preclara (Congridae) and Heteroconger hassi (Congridae) (Teleostei; Actinopterygii)

Sandy bottoms are a ubiquitous environment found from sea bottoms to intertidal and freshwater zones. They are inhabited by many invertebrates and vertebrates which have developed morphological and physiological adaptations to sustain life under these particular conditions. Sandy habitats exhibit three potential constraints: abrasion, hypoxia and mechanical resistance. Here, three teleost species living in sandy environments were investigated: Ammodytes tobianus (Ammodytidae), Gorgasia preclara and Heteroconger hassi (Congridae). These teleost fishes were studied for their integument and muscular systems, which are potentially subject to sand abrasion and hypoxia, respectively. Based on histochemistry and transmission electron microscopy, we found the complex mucus system of G. preclara and H. hassi consists of two types of goblet cells and one type of sacciform cell. The secretions of both species are made of complex polysaccharides. In contrast, the scaly integument of A. tobianus has only a few goblet cells and no sacciform cells. We also highlighted, by immunohistochemistry, that the epidermal cell proliferation was much higher for this latter species, potentially resulting from the high rate of sand abrasion when A. tobianus buries itself quickly in the substrate. For all species, the major muscle fibre type was revealed by histoenzymology and corresponds to fast glycolytic fibres followed by intermediate fibres with slow fibres in the lowest proportion. Ammodytes tobianus possesses the highest fast fibre proportion (about 87% for A. tobianus and 75–78% for both garden eels). Our results provide new insights into the previously poorly studied teleost species, such as G. preclara, and allow us to highlight the complex skin histology of both garden eel species. Furthermore, the previously unknown muscle typing of these three species was determined.     

Immunohistochemical study of cutaneous nerves in the emu

The distribution and chemical content of cutaneous nerves in 3- to 13-day-old emu chicks (Dromaius novaehollandiae) were examined by using double-labelling immunohistochemistry. Seven different subpopulations of cutaneous nerves were identified based on their neurochemistry. No intraepidermal nerve fibres were found. However, axons were located within the dermis and were often associated with blood vessels, pennamotor muscles and feather follicles or innervated Herbst corpuscles. Both similarities and differences exist between subpopulations of cutaneous nerves in the emu and volant birds. As in volant birds, a subpopulation of cutaneous axons innervates the superficial skin layers and contains immunoreactivity to both substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). This suggests that the neuropeptide content of these presumptive free nerve endings is conserved throughout the evolution of birds. In contrast, Herbst corpuscles in the emu are innervated by axons that contain immunoreactivity for CGRP or neuropeptide Y (NPY) but that lack the calbindin D-28k immunoreactivity found in fibres innervating Herbst corpuscles of volant birds. Herbst corpuscles therefore may have a different chemical content in a flightless species from that in volant birds.This work was supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award (Industry; CO9942100) and the Flinders Institute for Health and Medical Research.     

The electrical activity of mechanoreceptive and neurosecretory neurons in the stick insectCarausim morosus

Summary Action potentials have been recorded from the neurosecretory cells which lie on the link nerve inCarausius morosus. The neurosecretory cells are spontaneously active in completely isolated preparations, firing with a regular but low frequency (<1 imp/s) or in small bursts (12 imp/s). The action potentials recorded extracellularly from the neurosecretory fibres are characteristically of long duration (2 to 10 ms), whereas those of motor or sensory fibres are of shorter duration (0.6 to 0.8 ms). The neurosecretory action potentials are also characterised by their slow conduction velocity (0.15 to 0.25 m/s) compared to those from motor and sensory fibres (0.54 to 0.7 m/s). The action potentials are propagated from the region of the cell body towards the terminals and have been recorded passing along all the major nerves in the periphery.Recordings from three of the non-neurosecretory cells which lie on peripheral nerves show that they respond to stretching of the nerves upon which they lie or of nerves which branch in the immediate vicinity. The action potentials are propagated away from the cell body towards the central nervous system. The neurons are termed peripheral nerve stretch receptors.We are grateful to the Science Research Council for financial support.     

The structure of the nerve fibre layer and neurocord in the enteropneusts

Summary The nerve fibre layer and the neurocord of the Enteropneusts Saccoglossus horsti, Harrimania kupfferi and Ptychodera flava have been examined with the electron microscope. The nerve fibres vary in diameter between 0.15 to 10 m. The majority of the fibres are of the smaller diameters. The nerve fibre layer is intraepidermal, and is divided by processes running radially from the epithelial cells to the basement membrane that separates the nerve fibre layer from the muscle cells.The cells of origin of these nerve fibres are situated mainly in the innermost layers of the epidermal cells. The nerve fibre profiles contain numerous vesicles of very varied diameter and contents, together with larger granular inclusions that are also found in the nerve cell bodies.Morphologically recognisable synapses are rare, but the majority of fibres are in intimate contact with one another. Sometimes the mass of fibres is divided into bundles by the epithelial cell processes. The majority of giant fibres are situated near to the basement membrane of the neurocord. The giant fibres also have a varied content of vesicles as well as neurofilaments and neurotubules.The central canal in Ptychodera flava and the remnants of the central canal in Saccoglossus horsti are both lined by columnar cells that bear microvilli as well as cilia with the typical 9 + 2 pattern of tubules. Scattered amongst these cells are mucus secreting cells which open into the cavity of the canal.I (P.N.D.) should like to thank Professor J. Z. Young, F. B. S. for much advice and encouragement. Dr. R. Bellairs generously provided the electron microscope facilities, and Dr. R. Newell kindly collected and identified the Saccoglossus specimens. Mr. R. Moss, Mrs. J. Hamilton and Mr. A. Aldrich gave excellent technical and photographic assistance.     

Immunoreactivity to the pancreatic polypeptide family in the nervous system of the adult human blood fluke,Schistosoma mansoni

Summary The presence and distribution of neuropeptides belonging to the pancreatic polypeptide family have been demonstrated by an indirect immunofluorescence technique in the nervous systems of adult male and female Schistosoma mansoni. Seven antisera of differing regional specificity to pancreatic polypeptide (PP), peptide YY (PYY) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) were employed on both whole-mount and cryostat-sectioned material. Positive immunoreactivity (IR) was obtained with all antisera except an N-terminally-directed antiserum to NPY. In the CNS, immunoreactivity was restricted to cell bodies and nerve fibres in the anterior ganglia, central commissure and dorsal and ventral nerve cords of both sexes, whereas, in the PNS, positive-IR was present in the plexuses innervating the subtegumental musculature and the oral and ventral suckers. Intense immunoreactivity was observed in a plexus of nerve fibres and cell bodies in the lining of the gynaecophoric canal and in fine nerve fibres innervating the dorsal tubercles of the male. In contrast, in the female, strong immunoreactivity was evident in nerve plexuses innervating the lining of the ovovitelline duct and in the wall of the ootype, but most notably in a cluster of cells in the region of Mehlis' gland. Results suggest that molecules with C-terminal homology to the PP-family are present in S. mansoni. These peptides would appear to be important regulatory molecules in the parasite's nervous system and may play a role in the control of egg production.