Abstract
The localisation and distribution of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT or serotonin) in the nervous system ofFasciola hepatica has been determined by an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Cell bodies and nerve fibres immunoreactive to 5-HT are present in the anterior ganglia, and the longitudinal nerve cords and their commissures in the central nervous system. In the peripheral nervous system, similar immunoreactivity occurs in the nerve plexuses supplying the sub-tegumental muscle layers and the muscular lining of various reproductive ducts, including the ootype, uterus and cirrus pouch. The significance of these results in the light of previous studies on the role of 5-HT inF. hepatica is discussed.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Andreini GC, Beretta C, Faustini R, Gallina G (1970) Spectrofluorometric and chromatographic characterization of a butanol extract fromFasciola hepatica. Experientia 26:166–167
Beernink KD, Nelson SD, Mansour TE (1963) Effect of lysergic acid derivatives on the liver flukeFasciola hepatica. Int J Neuropharmacol 2:105–112
Bennett JL, Gianutsos G (1977) Distribution of catecholamines in immatureFasciola hepatica: a histochemical and biochemical study. Int J Parasitol 7:221–225
Chou T-CT, Bennett J, Bueding E (1972) Occurrence and concentrations of biogenic amines in trematodes. J Parasitol 58:1098–1102
Coons AH, Leduc EH, Connolly JM (1955) Studies on antibody production. I. A method for the histochemical demonstration of specific antibody and its application to a study of the hyperimmune rabbit. J Exp Med 102:49–60
Gianutsos G, Bennett JL (1977) The regional distribution of dopamine and norepinephrine inSchistosoma mansoni andFasciola hepatica. Comp Biochem Physiol [C] 58:157–159
Halton DW (1967) Histochemical studies of carboxylic esterase activity inFasciola hepatica. J Parasitol 53:1210–1216
Havet J (1900) Contribution a l'étude du système nerveux des trématodes (Distomum hepaticum). La Cellule 17:353–381
Holmes SD, Fairweather I (1984)Fasciola hepatica: The effects of neuropharmacological agents upon in vitro motility. Exp Parasitol 58:194–208
Johnson JL (1972) Glutamic acid as a synaptic transmitter in the nervous system. A review. Brain Res 37:1–19
Kasschau MR, Mansour TE (1982) Serotonin-activated adenylate cyclase during early development ofSchistosoma mansoni. Nature 296:66–68
Mansour TE (1957) The effect of lysergic acid diethylamide, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and related compounds on the liver fluke,Fasciola hepatica. Br J Pharmacol 12:406–409
Mansour TE (1984) Serotonin receptors in parasitic worms. Adv Parasitol 23:1–36
Mansour TE, Stone DB (1970) Biochemical effects of lysergic acid diethylamide on the liver flukeFasciola hepatica. Biochem Pharmacol 19:1137–1146
Mansour TE, Lago AD, Hawkins JL (1957) Occurrence and possible role of serotonin inFasciola hepatica. Fed Proc 16:319
Ramisz A, Szankowska Z (1970) Studies on the nervous system ofFasciola hepatica andDicrocoelium dendriticum by means of histochemical method for active acetylcholinesterase. Acta Parasitol Pol 17:217–223
Smyth JD, Halton DW (1983) The physiology of trematodes. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
Threadgold LT, Irwin SWB (1970) Electron microscope studies ofFasciola hepatica: IX. The fine structure of Mehlis' gland. Z Parasitenkd 35:16–30
Tomosky-Sykes TK, Jardine I, Mueller JF, Bueding E (1977) Sources of error in neurotransmitter analysis. Anal Biochem 83:99–108
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Fairweather, I., Maule, A.G., Mitchell, S.H. et al. Immunocytochemical demonstration of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) in the nervous system of the liver fluke,Fasciola hepatica (Trematoda, Digenea). Parasitol Res 73, 255–258 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00578514
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00578514