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Schistosoma mansoni: an examination of the reproductive status of females from single sex infections

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

J. R. Shaw  and
D. A. Erasmus
J. R. Shaw
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University College, Cathays Park, Cardiff
D. A. Erasmus
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University College, Cathays Park, Cardiff
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Summary

The variation in the development of the reproductive system of female Schistosoma mansoni from single sex infections is described. Vitelline cell development was assessed by staining for phenolic substances and the development of Mehlis' gland and the ovary by electron microscopy. Although there was considerable variation in the development of worms from individual mice harbouring infections of the same age, the mean values indicated that there was a low level of differentiation and turnover of vitelline cells in worms 30–200 days post-infection. The proportion of females which possessed mature vitelline cells showed a general increase with age. The ovary was always in an immature stage but the development of Mehlis' gland showed some variation. The results suggest that the stimulus given by the male to the female is not necessarily to initiate development of the reproductive system but to increase the rate of development of the vitelline gland and to co-ordinate the development of the entire reproductive system.

Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 82 , Issue 1 , February 1981 , pp. 121 - 124
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1981

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References

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