Stereoscan studies of eggs, free-swimming and penetrating miracidia and early sporocysts of Fasciola hepatica

Summary

The egg of Fasciola hepatica has a smooth surface with a slightly elevated circle marking the fracture of the operculum. The operculum and the aperture have crenated edges.

The epithelial cells of the miracidium are covered with long cilia. When miracidia are vibrated in an ultrasonic cleaner the cilia of the epithelial cells of the four posterior tiers are broken off only leaving longitudinal rows of cilium stubs, whereas the cilia of the first tier are still retained.

The apical papilla is provided with a dorso-ventral furrow, multiciliated pits and isolated sensory cilia. The narrow intercellular ridge is smooth, whereas the epithelial cells have small cytoplasmic knobs between the cilia.

The penetration into the snail (Lymnaea truncatula) and the transformation into sporocyst may be separated into three phases. (1) Less than 1 min after attachment to the snail the ciliated cells of the anterior tier are shed and swim away. (2) The cilia of the remaining cells beat violently and after about 5 min most cilia are broken off near the cell surface. The miracidium remains for about 15 min embedded as far as the intercellular ridge receptors (lateral papillae and sheathed ciliated nerve endings). During this period extensive contraction and relaxation of the body are performed. (3) The final penetration of the snail epithelium takes about 15 min. Simultaneously with the penetration into the snail tissue the “bald” cells (epithelial cells with cilium stubs only) of the four posterior tiers loosen, form globules and fall off. The surface below the cells is smooth and in cytoplasmic continuity with the intercellular ridge and the apical papilla, and this syncytium forms the later tegument of the sporocyst. After a few days the tegument of the sporocyst is provided with microvillus-like projections and the apical papilla and sensory structures are lost.