Studies on the liver fluke Fasciola in Egypt: II. ultra-structural and histochemical observations on the intestinal caeca

ABSTRACT

The alimentary tract of adult Egyptian liver fluke Fasciola gigantica was studied by light and transmission electron microscopy, the intestinal caecum was found to be composed of a single layer of epithelial cells, which contain numerous organelles such as mitochondria, well-developed granular endoplasmic reticulum, few secretory gransules, and prominent nuclei, each containing a single nucleolus. The apical surface of the gut has numerous elongate lamellae extending into the lumen of the caecum. It was proposed that the intestinal epithelium has both secretory and absorptive functions. The localization of both carbohydrates and proteins within the intestinal cells of the fluke was also demonstrated. Results were discussed and compared with other studies on digenetic trematodes