title: Cholinergic, serotoninergic and peptidergic components of the nervous system of Haematoloechus medioplexus (Trematoda, Digenea), characterised by cytochemistry.
abstract: Cholinergic, serotoninergic and peptidergic neuronal pathways have been demonstrated in whole-mount preparations of the frog-lung digenean trematode, Haematoloechus medioplexus, using enzyme cytochemical methodologies and indirect immunocytochemical techniques in conjunction with confocal scanning laser microscopy. All 3 classes of neuroactive substance were found throughout both central and peripheral elements of a well-developed orthogonal nervous system. Peptidergic immunoreactivity was particularly strong, using antisera directed to native flatworm neuropeptides, neuropeptide F, and FMRF amide-related peptides (FaRPs), and there was significant overlap in the staining with that for cholinergic components. The serotoninergic system appeared quite separate, with the staining localised to a different set of neurons.
authors.affiliation: Comparative Neuroendocrinology Research Group, School of Clinical Medicine, Queen's University of Belfast, U.K.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Humphries
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Halton
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Maule
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shaw
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry; D002802:Cholinesterases / Q000032:analysis*; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D017952:Ganglia, Invertebrate / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000032:analysis*; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry; D012701:Serotonin / Q000032:analysis*; D014200:Trematoda / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D009479:Neuropeptides; C076101:neuropeptide F; D012701:Serotonin; D002802:Cholinesterases