title: Immunocytochemical localization of histamine in flatworms.
abstract: Specific antibodies against histamine were used to demonstrate the occurrence and cellular distribution of histamine-like immunoreactivity in three species of flatworms (phylum Platyhelminthes). In the parasitic cestode Diphyllobothrium dendriticum, histamine-reactivity was found in neurons of the main nerve cords, and in cells lining the central and peripheral excretory ducts. In the free-living microturbellarian Microstomum lineare and in the planarian Polycelis nigra, histamine-immunoreactivity was restricted to cells and fibres of the nervous system. The occurrence of histamine or a related substance in the nervous system of flatworms, which represent primary bilateria, indicates the importance of this neuroactive substance in the animal kingdom.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Abo Akademi, Finland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wikgren
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reuter
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Gustafsson
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lindroos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007985:Leydig Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D013737:Testis / Q000648:ultrastructure*