SPERMIOGENESIS AND ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE SPERMATOZOON OF THE LIVER FLUKE FASCIOLA GIGANTICA COBBOLD, 1856 (DIGENEA: FASCIOLIDAE), A PARASITE OF CATTLE IN SENEGAL

• Published in: The Journal of parasitology Vol. 90; no. 1; pp. 30 - 40
• Main Authors: Ndiaye, Papa Ibnou, Miquel, Jordi, Bâ, Cheikh Tidiane, Marchand, Bernard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lawrence, KS American Society of Parasitologists 01-02-2004
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cattle; Cattle Diseases - parasitology; Cell membranes; Centrioles - physiology; Centrioles - ultrastructure; Cytoplasm; DEVELOPMENT; Fasciola - physiology; Fasciola - ultrastructure; Fasciola gigantica; fascioliasis; Fascioliasis - parasitology; Fascioliasis - veterinary; Flagella; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; General aspects and techniques. Study of several systematic groups. Models; Invertebrates; Liver - parasitology; liver flukes; Male; Microscopy, Electron - veterinary; Microtubules; Mitochondria; Parasitism; Parasitology; Senegal; Spermatogenesis; Spermatogenesis - physiology; Spermatozoa; Spermatozoa - ultrastructure; Spermiogenesis; transmission electron microscopy; ultrastructure; Senegal; Africa; Spermiogenesis; Digestive system; Ultrastructure; Liver; Helmintha; Plathelmintha; Parasite; Fasciola gigantica; Invertebrata; Trematoda
• ISSN: 0022-3395; 1937-2345
• DOI: 10.1645/GE-3171

The present paper describes the spermiogenesis and the ultrastructure of the spermatozoon of Fasciola gigantica, as revealed by transmission electron microscopy. Spermiogenesis in F. gigantica begins with the formation of a differentiation zone containing 2 centrioles with associated striated roots and an intercentriolar body between them. Each centriole develops a flagellum. Proximodistal fusion of these flagella with the median cytoplasmic extension gives rise to the spermatozoon. Spermiogenesis in F. gigantica is characterized by the formation of a dorsolateral cytoplasmic expansion, an external ornamentation of the cell membrane, and spinelike bodies. These 3 structures were also observed in the anterior part of the spermatozoon. Our study describes for the first time the simultaneous presence of dorsolateral cytoplasmic expansion, external ornamentation of the plasma membrane, and spinelike bodies in the spermatozoon of a trematode.