title: Cholinergic, serotoninergic and peptidergic components of the nervous system of Discocotyle sagittata (Monogenea:Polyopisthocotylea).
abstract: Cholinergic, serotoninergic (5-HT) and peptidergic neuronal pathways have been demonstrated in both central and peripheral nervous systems of adult Discocotyle sagittata, using enzyme histochemistry and indirect immunocytochemistry in conjunction with confocal scanning laser microscopy. Antisera to 2 native flatworm neuropeptides, neuropeptide F and the FMRFamide-related peptide (FaRP), GNFFRFamide, were employed to detect peptide immunoreactivity. The CNS is composed of paired cerebral ganglia and connecting dorsal commissure, together with several paired longitudinal nerve cords. The main longitudinal nerve cords (lateral, ventral and dorsal) are interconnected at intervals by a series of annular cross-connectives, producing a ladder-like arrangement typical of the platyhelminth nervous system. At the level of the haptor, the ventral cords provide nerve roots which innervate each of the 9 clamps. Cholinergic and peptidergic neuronal organisation was similar, but distinct from that of the serotoninergic components. The PNS and reproductive system are predominantly innervated by peptidergic neurones.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, UK. jo.cable@bristol.ac.uk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cable
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Marks
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Halton
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Tinsley
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gannicott
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000032:analysis; D019835:FMRFamide; D017952:Ganglia, Invertebrate / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D015801:Helminth Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007447:Invertebrate Hormones / Q000032:analysis; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009420:Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis; D014200:Trematoda / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D014337:Trout / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D015801:Helminth Proteins; D007447:Invertebrate Hormones; D009479:Neuropeptides; C076101:neuropeptide F; C082029:GNFFRF-amide protein, Moniezia expansa; D012701:Serotonin; D019835:FMRFamide; D002802:Cholinesterases