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Studies on the ultrastructure, histochemistry and cytochemistry of the uninfected digestive gland of Bithynia tentaculata (Mollusca: Gastropoda) and on the ultrastructure of this host organ in snails infected with larval digeneans

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Summary

The structure and function of the digestive gland of the gastropod mollusc, Bithynia tentaculata, was investigated using ultrastructural, histochemical, and cytochemical techniques. The digestive gland was shown to be composed of two main cell types, the “digestive” cells and “secretory” cells. The digestive cells appeared to be concerned with the absorption and digestion of nutrients, while secretory cells produced digestive enzymes and calcareous concretions. Undifferentiated cells were scattered between these two main cell types. The pathological effects of larval digeneans on the digestive gland were also investigated, at the ultrastructural level. In such infected snails the digestive gland appeared to be degenerating. The significance of this tissue destruction was briefly discussed.

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Abbreviations

A:

Apical plasma membrane

B:

Basal body

BL:

Basal lamina

C:

Cilium

CG:

Calcareous granule

D:

Desmosome

DC:

Digestive cell

DV:

Digestive vacuole

E:

Endoplasmic reticulum

G:

Glycogen

Go:

Golgi

H:

Haemocoele of snail

L:

Lysosome

LU:

Lumen of digestive gland

M:

Microvilli

MF:

Muscle fibre

Mi:

Mitochondrion

N:

Nucleus

P:

Pinocytotic invagination of apical plasma membrane

R:

Rootlet of cilium

SC:

Secretory cell

SG:

Secretory granule

UC:

Undifferentiated cell

V:

Vacuole

V1:

Type 1 vesicle

V2:

Type 2 vesicle

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Portsmouth Polytechnic, England

    Trevor A. J. Reader

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  1. Trevor A. J. Reader
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Reader, T.A.J. Studies on the ultrastructure, histochemistry and cytochemistry of the uninfected digestive gland of Bithynia tentaculata (Mollusca: Gastropoda) and on the ultrastructure of this host organ in snails infected with larval digeneans. Z. F. Parasitenkunde 50, 11–30 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00389928

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00389928

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