Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ultrastructure study of the excretory system and the genital primordium of the infective stage ofOnchocerca volvulus (Nematoda:Filarioidea)

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Parasitology Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The electron microscopic investigation of the anterior part of the infective third-stage juvenile ofOnchocerca volvulus provides first insights into the structure of the excretory system of this developmental stage of the parasite. The most anterior part of this system consists of a cell process of the syncytial excretory cells. At this height the excretory cells enclose the cuticle-lined excretory channel. The channel is in the process of elongation in the anterior-posterior direction, indicated by cell division in this region. More posteriad an ampulla-like structure is forming in the cytoplasm of the excretory cells. The inner surface of this ampulla is lined with a small number of single microvilli. In this part of the system the cytoplasm of the excretory cells is rich in Golgi bodies and endocytic vesicles. The ampulla has direct access to the exterior by the excretory duct. The excretory duct is a cuticle-lined structure surrounded by supporting fibres of an additional cell. This duct cell connects the excretory duct to the body-wall cuticle at the excretory pore. Adjacent to the region of the excretory system a cell is found that resembles a gland cell. This cell is in close contact to the ventral nerve cord. The genital primordia of the third-stage juvenile consist of several dividing cells. The female genital primordium is seen at the junction of the muscular with the glandular oesophagus and the male primordium can be found at the junction of the glandular oesophagus with the gut.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Apfel H, Meyer TF (1990) Active release of surface proteins: a mechanism associated with the immune escape ofAcanthocheilonema viteae microfilariae. Mol Biochem Parasitol 43: 199–210

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartlett CM (1983a) Development ofDirofilaria scapiceps (Leidy, 1886) (Nematoda:Filarioidea) inAedes spp. andMansonia perturbans (Walker) and responses of mosquitoes to infection. Can J Zool 62: 112–129

    Google Scholar 

  • Bartlett CM (1983b) Development ofDirofilaria scapiceps (Leidy, 1886) (Nematoda: Filarioidea) in lagomorphs. Can J Zool 62: 965–979

    Google Scholar 

  • Büttner DW, Albiez EJ, Essen J von, Erichsen J (1988) Histological examination of adultOnchocerca volvulus and comparison with the collagenase technique. Trop Med Parasitol 39: 390–417

    Google Scholar 

  • Davey KG, Sommerville RI (1974) Molting in a parasitic nematode,Phocanema decipiens — VII. The mode of action of the ecdysial hormone. Int J Parasitol 44: 241–259

    Google Scholar 

  • Franz M (1980) Electron microscopic study of the cuticle of male and femaleOnchocerca volvulus from various geographic areas. Trop Med Parasitol 31: 149–164

    Google Scholar 

  • Franz M, Andrews P (1986) Histology of adultLitomosoides carinii. Z Parasitenkd 72: 387–395

    Google Scholar 

  • Franz M, Büttner DW (1983) The fine structure of adultOnchocerca volvulus IV. The hypodermal chords of the female worm. Trop Med Parasitol 34: 122–128

    Google Scholar 

  • Franz M, Lenze W (1982) Scanning electron microscope study of adultBrugia malayi. Trop Med Parasitol 33: 17–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Gutiérrez-Peña EJ (1989) Scanning electron microscopic study of adults and microfilariae ofDunnifilaria meningica (Filarioidea:Onchocercidae). Parasitol Res 75: 470–475

    Google Scholar 

  • Ho NFH, Geary TG, Raub TJ, Barsuhn CL, Thompson DP (1990) Biophysical transport properties of the cuticle ofAscaris suum. Mol Biochem Parasitol 41: 153–166

    Google Scholar 

  • Ho NFH, Geary TG, Barsuhn CL, Sims SM, Thompson DP (1992) Mechanistic studies in the transcuticular delivery of antiparasitic drugs II. Ex vivo/in vitro correlation of solute transport byAscaris suum. Mol Biochem Parasitol 52: 1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Holdsworth PA (1987) Scanning electron microscopy of viable and calcifiedOnchocerca gibsoni. Int J Parasitol 17: 957–964

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins DC (1971) The ultrastructure of the “excretory system” ofAscaris suum larvae. Z Parasitenkd 36: 179–192

    Google Scholar 

  • Kläger S (1988) Investigations of enzymatically isolated maleOnchocerca volvulus: qualitative and quantitative aspects of spermatogenesis. Trop Med Parasitol 39: 441–445

    Google Scholar 

  • Kozek WJ (1971) Ultrastructure of the microfilaria ofDirofilaria immitis. J Parasitol 57: 1052–1067

    Google Scholar 

  • Kozek WJ, Orihel TC (1983) Ultrastructure ofLoa loa microfilaria. Int J Parasitol 13: 19–43

    Google Scholar 

  • Kozek WJ, Raccurt C (1983) Ultrastructure ofMansonella ozzardi microfilaria, with a comparison of the South American (simuliid-transmitted) and the Caribbean (culicoid-transmitted) forms. Trop Med Parasitol 34: 38–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee H-F, Chen I-L, Lin R-P (1973) Ultrastructure of the excretory system ofAnisakis larva (Nematoda:Anisakidae). J Parasitol 59: 289–298

    Google Scholar 

  • Lichtenfels JR, Pilitt PA, Kotani T, Powers KG (1985) Morphogenesis of developmental stages ofDirofilaria immitis (Nematoda: Filarioidea) in the dog. Proc Helminthol Soc Wash 52: 98–113

    Google Scholar 

  • McLaren DJ (1972a) Ultrastructural studies on microfilariae (Nematoda:Filarioidea). Parasitology 65: 317–332

    Google Scholar 

  • McLaren DJ (1972b) Ultrastructural and cytochemical studies on the sensory organelles and nervous system ofDipetalonema viteae (Nematoda:Filarioidea). Parasitology 65: 507–524

    Google Scholar 

  • McLaren DJ (1976) Nematode sense organs. Adv Parasitol 14: 195–265

    Google Scholar 

  • Narang HK (1972) The excretory system of nematodes: structure and ultrastructure of the excretory system ofPanagrellus redivivus, Ditylenchus myceliophagus with some observations onD. dipsaci andHeterodera rostochiensis. Parasitology 64: 253–268

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson FK, Riddle DL (1984) Functional study of theCaenorhabditis elegans secretory-excretory-system using laser microsurgery. J Exp Zool 231: 45–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson FK, Albert PS, Riddle DL (1983) Fine structure of theCaenorhabditis elegans secretory-excretory-system. J Ultrastruct Res 82: 156–171

    Google Scholar 

  • Page AP, Hamilton AJ, Maizels RM (1992a)Toxocara canis: monoclonal antibodies to carbohydrate epitopes of secreted (TES) antigens localize to different secretion-related structures in infective larvae. Experimental Parasitology 75: 56–71

    Google Scholar 

  • Page AP, Rudin W, Fluri E, Blaxter ML, Maizels RM (1992b)Toxocara canis: a labile antigenic surface coat overlying the epicuticle of infective larvae. Experimental Parasitology 75: 72–86

    Google Scholar 

  • Philipp M, Rumjaneck FD (1984) Antigenic and dynamic properties of helminth surface structures. Mol Biochem Parasitol 10: 245–268

    Google Scholar 

  • Poinar GO, Leutenegger R (1968) Anatomy of the infective and normal third-stage juveniles ofNeoaplectana carpocapsae Weiser (Steinernematidae: nematoda). J Parasitol 54: 340–350

    Google Scholar 

  • Politz SM, Philipp M (1992)Caenorhabditis elegans as a model for parasitic nematodes: a focus on the cuticle. Parasitol Today 8: 6–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Sims SM, Magas LT, Barsuhn CL, Ho NFH, Geary TG, Thompson DP (1992) Mechanisms of microenvironmental pH regulation in the cuticle ofAscaris suum. Mol Biochem Parasitol 53: 135–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Strote G, Bonow I (1991) Morphological demonstration of essential functional changes after in vitro and in vivo transition of infectiveOnchocerca volvulus to the post-infective stage. Parasitol Res 77: 526–535

    Google Scholar 

  • Strote G, Brattig NW, Tischendorf FW (1991) Ultrastructural study of the interaction between eosinophilic granulocytes and third and fourth stage larvae ofOnchocerca volvulus. Acta Trop (Basel) 48: 1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Strote G, Bonow I (1993) Ultrastructural observations on the nervous system and the sensory organs of the infective stage ofOnchocerca volvulus (Nematoda:Filarioidea) Parasitol Res 79: 213–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Vincent AL, Ash LR, Frommes SP (1975) The ultrastructure of adultBrugia malayi (Brug, 1927) (Nematoda:Filarioidea). J Parasitol 61: 499–512

    Google Scholar 

  • Vincent AL, Frommes SP, Portaro JK, Ash LR (1978) Ultrastructure of the anterior alimentary tract of infective-stageWuchereria bancrofti (Nematoda:Filarioidea). J Parasitol 64: 775–785

    Google Scholar 

  • Waddell AH (1968) The excretory system of the kidney wormStephanurus dentatus (Nematoda). Parasitology 58: 907–919

    Google Scholar 

  • Wharton DA (1991) Ultrastructural changes associated with exsheathment of infective juveniles ofHaemonchus contortus. Parasitology 103: 413–420

    Google Scholar 

  • Wharton DA, Sommerville RI (1984) The structure of the excretory system of the infective larva ofHaemonchus contortus. Int J Parasitol 14: 591–600

    Google Scholar 

  • Wright DJ, Newall DR (1991) In: Harrison FW, Ruppert EE (eds) Microscopic anatomy of invertebrates, vol. 4. Aschelminthes. Wiley-Liss Inc., New York, pp 111–195

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoshinaga T, Ogawa K, Wakabayashi H (1989) Morphology of the excretory system ofHysterothylacium haze (Nematoda:Anisakidae:Raphidascaridinae). J Parasitol 75: 812–814

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department Helminthology, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Bernhard Nocht Strasse 74, D-20359, Hamburg, Germany

    G. Strote & Insa Bonow

Authors
  1. G. Strote
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Insa Bonow
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Strote, G., Bonow, I. Ultrastructure study of the excretory system and the genital primordium of the infective stage ofOnchocerca volvulus (Nematoda:Filarioidea). Parasitol Res 81, 403–411 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00931502

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00931502

Keywords

Search

Navigation