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Studies on motility in vitro of an ectoparasitic monogenean, Diclidophora merlangi

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

A. G. Maule ,
D. W. Halton ,
J. M. Allen  and
I. Fairweather
A. G. Maule
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, The Queen's University, Belfast BT7 1NN
D. W. Halton*
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, The Queen's University, Belfast BT7 1NN
J. M. Allen
Affiliation:
Biomedical Sciences Research Centre, University of Ulster at Jordanstown B37 0QB
I. Fairweather
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, The Queen's University, Belfast BT7 1NN
*
*Reprint requests to Professor D. W. Halton, Department of Biology, The Queen's University, Belfast BT7 1NN.
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Summary

An isometric transducer system has been used to record spontaneous motor activity in Diclidophora merlangi in vitro. Motility took the form of either continuous irregular contractions or bursts of activity with intermittent quiescent periods. Maximal activity was recorded from specimens at 5–8 °C in artificial sea water (ASW). Decerebration induced a period of enhanced motility which subsided within 1 h. Water turbulence elicited large, rapid contractions of the longitudinal body musculature which did not habituate or fatigue. Induced water turbulence at frequencies higher than 3/min inhibited spontaneous movements, resulting in a progressive reduction in contraction amplitude and, eventually (30/min), the abolition of any response to water movement. The neurotoxin tetrodotoxin failed to modify worm activity. Excitatory responses from both intact worms and strip preparations were obtained with 5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine and noradrenaline, but aminergic antagonists failed to block their effects. Atropine stimulated contractility, whereas the effects of acetylcholine or carbachol were inconsistent. Nicotine increased muscle tone but the effect was unaltered by atropine, mecamylamine or d–tubocurarine. Muscarine, hemicholinium, neostigmine and eserine were without apparent effect.

Keywords

Diclidophora merlangimonogeneanmotilityaminergic drugscholinergic drugs
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 98 , Issue 1 , February 1989 , pp. 85 - 93
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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