Studies on the liver fluke fasciola in Egypt: III. spermatogenesis

ABSTRACT

The spermatogenesis of the liver fluke Fasciola gigantica isolated from Egypt was studied using electron microscopy. It begins with primary spermatogonium, which undergoes 3 mitotic and 2 meiotic divisions to give rise to 32 spermatids. The microtubule organizing center [MTOC] was clearly described in the present trematode. Spermatids become morphologically transformed into spermatozoa. The spermatozoon possesses two axonemes, each of 9 + [1] pattern of microtubules and two mitochondria. Phylogenetic relationships between Fasciola and other Platyhelminthes was also discussed