Journal of Helminthology

Table of Contents - 1979 - Volume 53, Issue 01  

Research Papers

Histochemical studies on Raillietina (Raillietina) johri (Cestoda: Davaineidae). I. Nonspecific and specific phosphatases*

T. K. Roya1 p1

a1 Department of Zoology, University of Udaipur, Udaipur 313001, India

Abstract

Certain phosphatases have been localized by histochemical techniques in various tissues of a pigeon cestode, Raillietina (Raillietina) johri. Acid phosphatase (AcPase), alkaline phosphatase (AlPase) and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) were present in almost all structures: tegument; subtegumental muscles; subtegumental cells; excretory canal; tsetes; sperm ductules; vas deferens; cirrus sac; cirrus; ovary; receptaculum seminis; vagina; vitelline gland cells; oocytes; uterus; embryonated eggs. AlPase was absent in parenchyma, spermatocytes, spermatids and spermatozoa. AlPase activity was more intense in the tegument of mature gravid proglottides. AcPase and ATPase were visualized in various stages of spermatogenesis of the parasite. ATPase activity was also observed in chromosomes. 5'-nucleotidase (AMPase) activity was restricted to embryonated eggs only. Functional significance of these phosphatases is discussed.

(Accepted September 22 1977)

Correspondence:

p1 Present address: Division of Biochemistry, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India

Footnotes

* The work was financed by U.G.C. Research Fellowship