Development of immunoreactivity to the invertebrate neuropeptide small cardiac peptide B in the tapeworm Diphyllobothrium dendriticum.

Neurons immunoreactive to small cardiac peptide B (SCPb) occur in the scolex and neck region of adult Diphyllobothrium dendriticum. The localisation of the SCPb-IR neurons in the peripheral nervous system is very pronounced; they are closely associated to the bothridial musculature in the scolex. SCPb-IR neurons were not observed in plerocercoid larvae but appeared after cultivation in vitro at 37 degrees C for 30 h. Functional and developmental aspects of the SCPb-IR neurons are discussed.

Trace element content in two species of whale tapeworms, Diphyllobothrium macroovatum and Diplogonoporus balaenopterae.

Trace elements in two species of whale tapeworms, Diphyllobothrium macroovatum and Diplogonoporus balaenopterae, were analysed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Six elements (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Cd, Ca) were assayed from different regions of two tapeworms: scolex, neck, immature, mature and gravid proglottids. Whole strobilae at different stages of maturity were also examined. The relationship between the trace element content and the physiological significance is discussed.

Immunocytochemical evidence for the presence of "mammalian" neurohormonal peptides in neurones of the tapeworm Diphyllobothrium dendriticum.

In the nervous system of the obligatory endoparasite Diphyllobothrium dendriticum immunoreactivity (IR) to growth hormone-releasing factor (GRF), peptide histidine isoleucine (PHI), bovine pancreatic polypeptide (BPP), gastrin, gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), oxytocin, FMRFamide (FMRF) and serotonin (5HT) was demonstrated by immunocytochemical methods. A very strong GRF-IR was observed in the CNS and PNS of larvae and of the constantly growing adult worms. GRF-IR axon terminals occur beneath the basal lamina of the tegument along the inside of the bothridia, the holdfast organ of the worm. GRF-IR fibres surround the yolk producing vitelline glands and occur in the wall of the vagina. PHI-IR was observed in the CNS and PNS of larvae and adult worms. PHI-IR terminals occur beneath the basal lamina of the tegument along the strobila, the nutrient absorbing surface of the worm. PHI-IR fibres seem to innervate the testicular follicles. FMRF-IR fibres and perikarya occur close to the vitelline glands and the uterine pore and in the male copulatory organ. Numerous large 5HT-IR perikarya with long varicose fibres were observed in the nervous system of the worm. 5HT-IR perikarya occur close to the genital atrium. D. dendriticum is the phylogenetically lowest organism in which IR to PHI has been demonstrated.

[Fatty acid makeup of the cestodes, Eubothrium crassum and Diphyllobothrium dendriticum]. / Zhirnokislotnyi sostav tsestod Eubothrium crassum i Diphyllobothrium dendriticum.

The fat-acidic composition of E. crassum and D. dendriticum was investigated. Lipids of E. crassum differ in greater unsaturation as compared to these of D. dendriticum as well as in greater amount of acids of type omega 3, whereas acids of type omega 6 and stearic acid were found in extracts of E. crassum in less quantity than in D. dendriticum. This phenomenon is characteristic of organisms living under conditions of low temperatures.

Protein profiles as an aid to taxonomy in the genus Diphyllobothrium.

Specific and distinct protein profiles were demonstrated by isoelectric focusing performed on soluble whole-body proteins of four Diphyllobothrium species. The protein patterns differed in number, position and relative density of the fractions separated. Altogether 31-36 protein bands per species were separated by isoelectric focusing in thin-layer polyacrylamide gels. The results show that sensitive chemotaxonomic methods can be used to help characterize and delimit species in the troublesome Diphyllobothrium group.