Ultrastructural studies on the reproductive system of Gyrocotylidea and Amphilinidea (Cestoda): I. Vitellarium, vitellocyte development and vitelloduct in Amphilina foliacea (Rudolphi, 1819)

Functional ultrastructure and cytochemistry of vitellogenesis and mature vitellocytes of the digenean Cainocreadium labracis (Dujardin, 1845), parasite of Dicentrarchus labrax (L., 1758)

Vitellogenesis and vitellocytes of Cainocreadium labracis were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and TEM cytochemistry. Four developmental stages were distinguished during vitellogenesis: (I) stem cell of high nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio; (II) early differentiation with chief activity focused on the beginning of protein synthesis and shell globule formation; (III) advanced differentiation with rapid intensification of protein synthesis, progressive fusion of single shell globules into large globule clusters, and formation of unsaturated lipid droplets surrounded by β-glycogen particles; and (IV) mature vitellocyte. Early vitellogenesis with vitellocyte maturation consists of: (1) increase in cell volume; (2) increased development of large, parallel cisternae of GER with production of proteinaceous granules; (3) development of small Golgi complexes that package granules; and (4) within vacuoles, progressive enlargement of proteinaceous granules into shell globule clusters formed during vitellogenesis. Three types of inclusions accumulate in large amounts in mature vitelline cells: (1) shell globule clusters, important component in the formation of egg shell; (2) numerous unsaturated lipid droplets. Though fewer, there are also diphasic droplets consisting of saturated and unsaturated lipids in the same droplet, and (3) a relatively small amount of β-glycogen particles, usually surround a few groups of lipid droplets. The β-glycogen and lipid droplets are nutritive reserves for embryogenesis. General pattern and functional ultrastructure of vitellogenesis greatly resemble those observed in some lower cestodes, such as bothriocephalideans and diphyllobothrideans. Variations and differences in the amount of lipids and of glycogen during vitellogenesis in lower cestodes and other trematodes are compared and discussed.

The first data on the vitellogenesis of paruterinid tapeworms: an ultrastructural study of Dictyterina cholodkowskii (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea)

The present study provides the first ultrastructural data of the vitellogenesis in a cestode species of the cyclophyllidean family Paruterinidae, aiming to expand the limited data on the vitellogenesis in cyclophyllidean cestodes and to explore the potential of ultrastructural characters associated with vitellogenesis for phylogenetic and taxonomic studies of this order. The process of vitellocyte formation in Dictyterina cholodkowskii follows the general pattern observed in other tapeworms but exhibits several specific differences in the ultrastructure of vitelline cells. The vitellarium contains vitellocytes at various stages of maturation. The periphery of the vitellarium and the space between maturing vitellocytes are occupied by interstitial cells. Differentiation into mature vitellocytes is characterized by high secretory activity, which involves the development of granular endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complexes, mitochondria and vitelline globules of various sizes. During vitellogenesis, the progressive fusion of these globules results in the formation of two large membrane-limited vitelline vesicles that eventually fuse into a single large vesicle. Mature vitellocytes are composed of a single vitelline vesicle, a high content of cytoplasmic organelles and have no nucleus. No traces of lipid droplets and glycogen granules are detected in the cytoplasm of mature vitellocytes, which might be related to biological peculiarities of this family, i.e. the release of eggs into environment within the tissues of the paruterine organ, which may serve as a source of nutrients for embryos.

First study of vitellogenesis of the broad fish tapeworm Diphyllobothrium latum (Cestoda, Diphyllobothriidea), a human parasite with extreme fecundity

In the present study, the process of vitellogenesis of one of the most prolific organisms, the broad tapeworm, Diphyllobothrium latum, the causative agent of human diphyllobothriosis, was studied for the first time using transmission electron microscopy. Cytochemical staining with periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate for detection of glycogen was applied. Starting from the periphery toward the center of the vitelline follicle four stages of vitellocytes are differentiated: immature vitellocytes, early maturing vitellocytes, advanced maturing and mature vitellocytes. Differentiation into mature vitellocytes involves the formation of shell globule clusters containing shell globules, large amount of saturated lipid droplets and glycogen. A peculiar ultrastructural feature of D. latum vitellogenesis is the presence of lamellar bodies in the cytoplasm of mature vitellocytes. This feature is similar to that present in the closely related caryophyllideans and spathebothriideans. Despite the great similarity observed in the embryonic development of diphylobothriideans, caryophyllideans and spathebothriideans, and the fact that their vitellocytes share a feature not reported from other cestode groups, there are substantial differences in the morphology of vitelline clusters, types, amount and localization of their nutritive reserves.

Spermatozoon cytoarchitecture of Amphilina foliacea (Platyhelminthes, Amphilinidea)

The mature spermatozoon of Amphilina foliacea Rudolphi, 1819 has been examined using transmission electron microscopy. The male gamete is filiform and tapered at both extremities. Its moderately electron-dense cytoplasm possesses two parallel axonemes of unequal lengths with the 9 + "1" trepaxonematan pattern, a mitochondrion, a nucleus, parallel cortical microtubules, four electron-dense attachment zones, and electron-dense glycogen granules. A crested body is absent. The anterior extremity of the cell exhibits a single axoneme. The anteriormost cortical microtubules have been observed with the appearance of the second axoneme. The number of cortical microtubules reaches a maximum (up to 25) in the nucleated region III of the spermatozoon. A single mitochondrion extends from the middle of region II to the end of region III of the cell. Both axonemes have become disorganized in a similar way: the axonemal doublets disappear first, followed by the central core. The nucleus is surrounded by a few cortical microtubules in the proximal part of region V. In the distal extremity of the mature spermatozoon, there is only the nucleus. Differences of spermatozoon ultrastructure within Amphilinidea and other Neodermata are discussed.

Ultrastructure of vitellogenesis and vitellocytes in the trypanorhynch cestode Aporhynchus menezesi, a parasite of the velvet belly lanternshark Etmopterus spinax

This is the first TEM examination of vitellogenesis in the cestode Aporhynchus menezesi, a parasite of the velvet belly lanternshark Etmopterus spinax and a member of a little-studied trypanorhynch family, the Aporhynchidae. The synthetic activity of vitellocytes plays two important functions in the developmental biology of cestodes: (1) their shell-globules serve in eggshell formation; and (2) their accumulated reserves of glycogen and lipids represent a food source for the developing embryo. In A. menezesi, vitelline follicles consist of cells at various stages of development, from peripheral, immature cells of the gonial type to mature cells towards the centre of the follicle. These stages are: (I) immature; (II) early differentiation; (III) advanced maturation; and (IV) mature. Gradual changes involved in this process occur within each stage. Vitellogenesis involves: (1) an increase in cell volume; (2) the development of a smooth endoplasmic reticulum and an accelerated formation and accumulation of both unsaturated and saturated lipid droplets, along with their continuous enlargement and fusion; (3) the formation of individual β-glycogen particles and their accumulation in the form of glycogen islands scattered among lipid droplets in the cytoplasm of maturing and mature vitellocytes; (4) the rapid accumulation of large, moderately saturated lipid droplets accompanied by dense accumulations of β-glycogen along with proteinaceous shell-globules or shell-globule clusters in the peripheral layer during the advanced stage of maturation; (5) the development of cisternae of granular endoplasmic reticulum that produce dense, proteinaceous shell-globules; (6) the development of Golgi complexes engaged in the packaging of this material; and (7) the progressive and continuous enlargement of shell-globules into very large clusters in the peripheral layer during the advanced stage of maturation. Vitellogenesis in A. menezesi, only to some extent, resembles that previously described for four other trypanorhynchs. It differs in: (i) the reversed order of secretory activities in the differentiating vitellocytes, namely the accumulation of large lipid droplets accompanied by glycogenesis or β-glycogen formation during early differentiation (stage II), i.e. before the secretory activity, which is predominantly protein synthesis for shell-globule formation (stage III); (ii) the very heavy accumulation of large lipid droplets during the final stage of cytodifferentiation (stage IV); and (iii) the small number of β-glycogen particles present in mature vitellocytes. Ultracytochemical staining with PA-TCH-SP for glycogen proved positive for a small number of β-glycogen particles in differentiating and mature vitellocytes. Hypotheses, concerning the interrelationships of patterns of vitellogenesis, possible modes of egg formation, embryonic development and life-cycles, are commented upon.

Ultrastructural study of vitellogenesis in Maritrema feliui (Digenea, Microphallidae)

During vitellogenesis in the microphallid trematode Maritrema feliui, we distinguished four stages: (I) a stem cell stage of the gonial type; (II) an early differentiation stage with the main cell activity concentrated on the initiation of protein synthetic activity and the beginning of shell globule formation; (III) an advanced differentiation stage concentrated on a rapid intensification of protein synthetic activity, the progressive fusion of individual shell globules into large shell globule clusters and the formation of saturated lipid droplets and a small amount of β-glycogen particles in the peripheral cytoplasm, considered as a store of nutritive reserves for the developing embryos; and (IV) the mature vitellocyte. Early vitellocyte maturation is characterised by: (1) an increase in cell volume; (2) extensive development of large, labyrinth-like cisternae of GER that produce proteinaceous granules; (3) the development of Golgi complexes engaged in packaging this material; and (4) a continuous enlargement of proteinaceous granules within vacuoles and their transformation into shell globule clusters composed of the heterogeneous material observed during vitellocyte cytodifferentiation. Mature vitelline cells are very rich in two types of cell inclusions accumulated in large amounts in their cytoplasm: (1) shell globule clusters, which play an important role in eggshell formation; and (2) a few osmiophobic lipid droplets of a saturated nature that undoubtedly represent nutritive reserves for the developing embryos. In addition, there are small numbers of β-glycogen particles in the peripheral cytoplasm of mature vitellocytes of this species. The general pattern and ultrastructure of vitellogenesis in M. feliui greatly resembles those observed in another microphallid trematode, Maritrema linguilla, in other digeneans and in some lower cestodes. Quantitative and qualitative variations in lipids (saturated and unsaturated) and glycogen (α-glycogen rosettes and β-glycogen particles) during platyhelminth vitellogenesis between the different species of trematodes and some lower cestodes are identified and discussed.

Ultrastructure of the early gravid uterus of Corallobothrium fimbriatum (Cestoda: Proteocephalidea)

The ultrastructure of the uterine epithelium and underlying extracellular matrices has been studied in several cyclophyllideans, but relatively little has been published on uterine fine structure in other cestode orders. To develop comparative data, we initiated a study focusing on a common and widespread genus of the order Proteocephalidea. Adult specimens of Corallobothrium fimbriatum were removed from the small intestine of brown bullhead catfish, Ameiurus nebulosus, from the St. Lawrence River in North America. Early gravid proglottids were examined by light microscopy as whole mounts or diced in buffered glutaraldehyde, processed by standard techniques and examined by as stained sections by light microscopy and by transmission electron microscopy. Voucher specimens were deposited in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University. The uterus consisted of an epithelial wall supported basally by an extracellular matrix and parenchyma cells, which together formed epitheliomesenchymal villi at many points. The uterine epithelium consisted of a single thin syncytial layer, folded distally into long epithelial villi that protruded into the lumen at some points. The epithelium's numerous nuclei were very close to the lumen, but bulged along with the perinuclear cytoplasm proximally into the surrounding medullary parenchyma. Each nucleus contained small amounts of evenly dispersed heterochromatin and euchromatin, with a central nucleolus. Numerous mitochondria occurred in the cytoplasm, which was densely filled with free ribosomes but contained scant endomembrane components and showed little evidence of secretory activity. The uterine cells possessed few of the apical microvilli that are typical of some cyclophyllidean species, but the apical plasma membrane and cortical cytoplasm were extensively developed into long microlamellae similar to other species. The basic syncytial nature of the epithelium is similar to that of other cestodes studied previously, but the specific combination of features is unlike any previously described. Based on this one proteocephalidean species, we discerned no pattern that would distinguish between Proteocephalidea and Cyclophyllidea based on uterine structure.

A standardised terminology of the embryonic envelopes and associated developmental stages of tapeworms (Platyhelminthes: Cestoda)

Over the past 40 years, much has been published on the ultrastructure and cellular development of embryonic structures in a wide range of cestodes. However, the literature contains many discrepancies in both terminology and interpretations because of the facts that these organisms are phylogenetically diverse within their respective orders and families, the habitats that affect embryonic envelope structure are diverse, and the work has been done in various laboratories around the world. This review and synthesis was initiated by a working group of biologists from around the world convened at the Fifth International Workshop on Cestode Systematics and Phylogeny in Ceské Budejovice, at the Institute of Parasitology of the Biology Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic. It brings together the data from published work and establishes a uniform terminology and interpretation based on the data as they are presented. A consensus was reached for standardised definitions of the oncosphere, hexacanth, coracidium, embryonic envelopes, outer envelope, inner envelope, embryophore, vitelline capsule, shell, and outer coat. All of these are defined as components of the embryo or its vitellocyte-derived or uterine-derived coatings.

Vitellogenesis and vitelline system in the pseudophyllidean tapeworm Paraechinophallus japonicus: ultrastructural and cytochemical studies

The vitellogenesis of Paraechinophallus japonicus (Yamaguti, 1934), the first pseudophyllidean tapeworm of the family Echinophallidae studied using transmission electron microscope, is described on the basis of ultrastructural observations of specimens from the benthopelagic fish Psenopsis anomala (Temminck et Schlegel, 1844) (Perciformes: Centrolophidae). The process of vitellogenesis in P. japonicus follows the same general pattern observed in other tapeworms. Five stages of vitellocyte development have been distinguished. The first stage corresponds to immature cells containing ribosomes and mitochondria. The second stage of development is characterized by the appearance of granular endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi complexes, formation of shell globules and lipid droplets at the periphery of the cell cytoplasm. Vitellocyte of the third stage presents accumulation of shell globules and lipid droplets. During the fourth stage, shell globule clusters are formed, and lipid droplets and rosettes of alpha-glycogen are accumulated. Mature vitelline cells are characterized by a great number of lipid droplets with glycogen in the centre of the cytoplasm, whereas shell globule clusters are situated more peripherally. The interstitial tissue of vitelline follicles of P. japonicus is syncytial with long cytoplasmic projections extending between vitelline cells. The presence of a large amount of lipid droplets in the vitelline cytoplasm within the eggs of P. japonicus may be related to egg accumulation in the uterine sac.

Ultrastructural and cytochemical studies on vitellogenesis in the trypanorhynch cestode Parachristianella trygonis Dollfus, 1946 (Eutetrarhynchidae)

During vitellogenesis in Parachristianella trygonis Trypanorhyncha, Eutetrarhynchidae) we distinguished four stages: (1) gonial or stem cell stage; (2) early differentiation stage concentrated on protein synthetic activity and shell-globule formation; (3) advanced differentiation stage with main cell activity concentrated on carbohydrate synthesis (glycogenesis) and massive glycogen storage in the form of α-glycogen rosettes and β-glycogen particles; and finally (4) mature vitellocyte stage. Early vitellocyte maturation is characterised by: (1) an increase in cell volume; (2) extensive development of large, parallel cisternae of GER that produce proteinaceous granules; (3) development of Golgi complexes engaged in packaging this material; (4) continuous enlargement of proteinaceous granules within vacuoles and their transformation into shell-globule clusters composed of heterogeneous material. Cytochemical staining with periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate for polysaccharides indicated a strongly positive reaction for the presence of α-glycogen rosettes and β-glycogen particles in the advanced stage of vitellocyte maturation. Both protein synthesis for shell-globule formation and carbohydrate synthesis or glycogenesis, important storage of nutritive reserves for the developing embryos, observed during cytodifferentiation of P. trygonis vitellocytes overlap in time to some extent. Mature vitelline cells are very rich in three types of cell inclusions accumulated in large amounts in their cytoplasm: (1) shell-globule clusters, playing an important role in egg-shell formation; (2) numerous large lipid droplets, as well as a high accumulation of lipid and α-glycogen rosettes and β-glycogen particles that undoubtedly represent important nutritive reserves for the developing embryos. Despite the fact that the type of vitellogenesis and ultrastructure of the mature vitellocyte in P. trygonis appears to differ to some extent from those of three other trypanorhynch species, its general pattern and ultrastructure greatly resembles those observed in other lower cestodes. Factors that may have contributed to the qualitative and quantitative variation in lipids during vitellogenesis among the four species of Trypanorhyncha, are identified and discussed.

Fine structure of the female reproductive ducts of Cyathocephalus truncatus (Cestoda: Spathebothriidea), from salmonid fish

The fine structure of the ovary, ovicapt, oviduct, fertilisation canal, vitelline ducts, vitelline reservoir, ovovitelline duct, ootype and Mehlis' gland, and proximal, middle and distal parts of the uterus of the spathebothriidean cestode, Cyathocephalus truncatus (Pallas, 1781), from salmoniform fish, has been studied for the first time by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Emphasis was given to characteristics which might shed light on the unclarified phylogenetic position of spathebothriideans, belonging among the most basal tapeworms (Eucestoda). New for cestodes is the finding of a multinucleate cell that plugs the ovicapt lumen. The morphology of the proximal part of the oviduct resembles that of the pseudophyllidean tapeworm Diphyllobothrium latum. After fertilisation in the fertilisation canal, vitellocytes of C. truncatus become associated with fertilized oocytes in the ovovitelline duct. Only one type of Mehlis' gland secretory cell is present. The eggs with electron-dense eggshells containing large pores first appear in the proximal part of the uterus. The middle portion of the uterus has well-developed uterine glands. The distal portion of the uterus has apical microtriches. Ultrastructural data on the female genital system of C. truncatus are compared and discussed with those for other cestodes. However, on the basis of available ultrastructural data it is not possible to conclude whether the Spathebothriidea are phylogenetically closer to the Caryophyllidea or to the Pseudophyllidea.

Ultrastructural and cytochemical studies on vitellogenesis in trypanorhynch cestode Dollfusiella spinulifera Beveridge, Neifar et Euzet, 2004 (Eutetrarhynchidae)

The first description of vitellogenesis in the Trypanorhyncha is presented in this paper. Though the type of vitellogenesis and mature vitellocyte in Dollfusiella spinulifera appear to be unique among the Eucestoda, to some extent they resemble that observed in the lower cestodes, namely the Tetraphyllidea and Pseudophyllidea. Maturation is characterized by: (1) an increase in cell volume; (2) extensive development of large, parallel, frequently concentric cisternae of GER that produce proteinaceous granules; (3) development of Golgi complexes engaged in packaging this material; (4) continuous enlargement of proteinaceous granules within vesicles and their transformation into shell globule clusters; and (5) progressive fusion of all vesicles, with flocculent material containing the proteinaceous granules and shell globule clusters, into a single very large vesicle that characterises mature vitellocytes of this tapeworm. Cell inclusions in and around the large vesicle consist of flocculent material of a very low density, a few shell globule clusters, moderately dense proteinaceous granules and numerous large droplets of unsaturated lipids. A new previously unreported mode of transformation of proteinaceous granules into shell globule clusters, that evidently differs from that of pseudophyllideans and tetraphyllideans, is described. Cytochemical staining with periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate for polysaccharides indicates a strongly positive reaction for membrane-bound glycoproteins in all membranous structures such as GER, mitochondria, Golgi complexes, nuclear and cell plasma membranes. Similar staining revealed β-glycogen particles scattered in the cytoplasm of maturing vitellocytes. Typical cytoplasmic β-glycogen particles appear mainly during early vitellocyte maturation but it is characteristic for this species that they are only seldom visible in mature cells. Some working hypotheses concerning the interrelationship between this particular pattern of vitellogensis, possible mode of egg formation in D. spinulifera, its embryonic development and trypanorhynchean life cycle, are drawn and discussed.

Vitellocytes and vitellogenesis in cestodes in relation to embryonic development, egg production and life cycle

Vitellocytes have two important functions in cestode embryogenesis: (1) formation of hard egg-shell (e.g. Pseudophyllidea) or a delicate capsule (e.g. Cyclophyllidea), and (2) supplying nutritive reserves for the developing embryos. During evolution any of these two functions can be reduced or intensified in different taxa depending on the type of their embryonic development, degree of ovoviviparity and life cycles. Within the Cestoda, there are three monozoic taxa with only one set of genital organs: Amphilinidea, Gyrocotylidea and Caryophyllidea. In these monozoic taxa and some polyzoic groups with well developed vitellaria (e.g. Pseudophyllidea, Trypanorhyncha) a single oocyte [=germocyte] and a large number of vitellocytes (up to 30) are enclosed within a thick, hardened egg-shell, forming a type of eggs typical for the basic pattern of Neodermata. Only one type of egg-shell enclosures, the so-called 'heterogeneous shell-globule vesicle' is common for the above mentioned cestode taxa. Each membrane-bounded vesicle of mature vitellocytes contains numerous electron-dense shell globules embedded in a translucent matrix. In free-living Neoophora and Monogenea there are two types of vesicles with dense granules; the second is considered to be proteinaceous reserve material. Within the Cestoda, the numbers of vitellocytes per germocyte are reduced in those taxa forming eggs of the 'Cyclophyllidean-type' (e.g. Cyclophyllidea, Tetraphyllidea, Pseudophyllidea). This is particularly evident in Cyclophyllidea; for example, in vitellocytes of Hymenolepis diminuta (Hymenolepididae) there are numerous vitelline granules of homogeneously electron-dense material; in Catenotaenia pusilla (Catenotaeniidae) there are three large, homogenous vitelline vesicles, while in Inermicapsifer madagascariensis (Anoplocephalidae) there is only one large vitelline vesicle, containing homogeneously electron-dense material, which occupies most of the vitelline cell volume. In this respect the Tetraphyllidea and Proteocephalidea, in forming eggs that lack a hard egg-shell, hold an intermediate position. A comparison of interrelationships which exist among types of vitellocytes, vitellogenesis, types of embryonic development, ovoviviparity and life cycles indicates parallelisms and analogies in adaptation to the parasitic way of life in different groups of cestodes. Knowledge on cestode vitellogenesis may also have an important applied aspect. Vitellocytes, due to their high metabolic rate, represent a very sensitive target for analysing effect of anthelminthic drugs upon the egg formation (ovicidal effects); rapid degeneration of vitellocytes is usually accompanied by a cessation of egg production.

Structure and diversity of cestode epithelia

Eucestodes have a simple aceolomate body structure and are conservative in terms of the numbers and nature of their cell types. Nevertheless, the cestodes form a diverse group with many strikingly different forms distinguished by the structure of their holdfasts, sexual tissues and embryos. These morphological adaptations have their origins in subtle variations in the structure of their cells and extracellular matrices. This review is concerned with the biology of eucestode epithelia and examines their structure and functions, interrelationships with other tissues, and gives insight into how their components are modified among the many taxa. Three features of cestode epithelia, namely, the occurrence of regional specialisation, microtriches and secretory components, are described. In addition, evidence is presented to suggest that some cestode epithelia are involved in developmental processes such as the nurture of embryos and maintenance of surrounding tissues.

Investigations on the protonephridial system of post-larval Gyrocotyle urna and Amphilina foliacea (Cestoda)

The gross morphology and ultrastructure of the different parts of the protonephridial system of the monozoic tapeworms Gyrocotyle urna and Amphilina foliacea are described. The terminal cell in both species has numerous cilia which are interconnected and extend into the lumen of the first canal cell. The filtration area is built up from projections of two cells, the terminal cell and the first canal cell. The first canal cell forms a solid hollow cylinder without a cell gap and a desmosome as found in Neodermata other than cestodes and Udonella. In Gyroctyle the nucleus of the first canal cell is located in the wall cytoplasma whereas more distally located ductules of both species have subepithelial cell bodies containing the nuclei. In both taxa the protonephridial canal system is reticulate. In Amphilina the distal canals lack non-terminal ciliary flames, such ciliary tufts can be found in the larger capillaries of Gyrocotyle. The capillary cilia have rootlets and the ultrastructure of the duct wall cytoplasm containing large numbers of vesicles indicates highly active transport processes. The morphology of the protonephridial systems is discussed with regard to the evolution of Neodermata (especially of the Cestoda) and the function of the protonephridial system in cestodes as a probable organ of nutrient distribution.