Ultrastructure of the hypodermis during cuticle formation in the third molt of the nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis

Summary The fine structure of the hypodermis of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, a parasitic nematode of the rat, was studied in free-living third-stage filariform (infective) larvae, and in parasitic forms undergoing the third molt. In filariform larvae the hypodermis displayed a comparatively poorly developed RER, and few Golgi complexes, mitochondria, and vesicles. Nuclei contained large amounts of heterochromatin and no nucleoli. After worms reached the lungs and the third molt began, the RER, Golgi complexes, mitochondria, multivesicular bodies, and coated vesicles greatly increased in amounts. Nuclei displayed less heterochromatin and contained prominent nucleoli. These morphological changes were associated with transition from the free-living to the parasitic mode in life. The results were correlated with the fact that the hypodermis in N. brasiliensis is actively synthesizing culticular collagen during the third molt.This investigation was supported, in part, by awards 1-F02-AI3750-02 and AI-09625 from the National Institutes of Health, United States Public Health Service.We are grateful to Lida Petruniak and Dora Lou for technical assistance.