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Acta Parasitologica, Vol.45, No. 2, 2000, 83-88
Swiderski Zdzislaw (1,2), Chomicz Lidia (2), Grytner-Ziecina Barbara (2), Tkach Vasyl (1), - Electron microscope study on vitellogenesis in Catenotaenia pusilla (Goeze, 1782) (Cyclophyllidea, Catenotaeniidae)

(1) W. Stefanski Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warszawa; (2) Department of General Biology and Parasitology, University of Medical Sciences, Chalubinskiego 5, 02-004 Warszawa; Poland
ABSTRACT

The vitellogenesis in Catenotaenia pusilla was examined by means of electron microscopy. Mature vitelline follicles consist of cells in various stages of development, progressing from immature cells of gonial type near the periphery to mature vitellocytes towards the centre. Maturation is characterised by: (1) increase in cell volume; (2) extensive development of large parallel cisternae of GER, the vitelline material producing units; (3) development of Golgi complexes engaged in vitelline material package; (4) continuous fusion of small vesicles into larger vitelline vesicles and fusion of these into 3 very large vesicles, which are characteristic for mature vitellocytes of this tapeworm. Vitellogenesis in C. pusilla is compared with that in other cestodes. Some conclusions concerning the interrelationship between the vitellogenesis pattern and the type of embryogenesis are drawn and discussed.


KEY WORDS: Catenotaenia pusilla, Cyclophyllidea, vitellogenesis, vitellocytes, ultrastructure
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