Ultrastructure of spermiogenesis of Dipylidium caninum (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea, Dipylidiidae), an intestinal parasite of Canis familiaris.
We describe for the first time the ultrastructure of spermiogenesis of a representative of the family Dipylidiidae, Dipylidium caninum. Spermiogenesis begins with the formation of a differentiation zone. This conical area presents two centrioles with associated striated roots. One of the centrioles develops a flagellum and posteriorly a proximodistal fusion is produced between the axoneme and a median cytoplasmic process. In a final stage of spermiogenesis a condensation of electron-dense material between cortical microtubules is observed in the anterior part of the differentiation zone. This is the origin of the crest-like body that appears at the end of spermiogenesis. The presence of striated roots associated with centrioles constitutes the first report of these structures in the spermiogenesis of a cyclophyllidean cestode.
Laboratori de Parasitologia, Facultat de Farmàcia, Universitat de Barcelona, España. jmiquel@farmacia.far.ub.es
J
J
Miquel
C T
CT
Bâ
B
B
Marchand
D000818:Animals; D002589:Cestoda / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000648:ultrastructure