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Spermiogenesis in two paramphistomes from Nile fish in Egypt: an ultrastructural study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2007

A.A. Ashour
Affiliation:
Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, 11566 Cairo, Egypt
K. Garo*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
I.S. Gamil
Affiliation:
Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Egypt

Abstract

The process of spermiogenesis in two paramphistomes, Sandonia sudanensis and Basidiodiscus ectorchis from the Nile fish Synodontis schall in Egypt was studied by transmission electron microscopy. Spermiogenesis is characterized by the outgrowth of the zone of differentiation, presenting two basal bodies separated by a microtubule organizing centre, each basal body developing into a flagellum. Proximodistal fusion of these flagella with a median cytoplasmic extension gives rise to the spermatozoon. The mature spermatozoon possesses two axonemes of the 9+‘1’ pattern typical of parasitic helminths. There are few ultrastructural studies on spermiogenesis in paramphistomes, which are considered the most primitive digenetic trematodes. The present study provides new and more detailed information on this process, including the presence of a lateral flange and external ornamentation of the cell membrane. The value of sperm ultrastructure as a taxonomic tool in phylogeny is also discussed.

Type
Research Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2007

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