Histochemical and enzyme-histochemical studies of Oncomelania hupensis (Gredler, 1881), the intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum

Abstract

AbstractThe distribution of glycogen, DNA and histone, and localization of activity of ten enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase), cytochrome oxidase (CCO), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), 5′-nucleotidase (5′-NT), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), Mg2+-adenosine triphosphatase (Mg2+-ATPase), and cholinesterase (CHE) in Oncomelania hupensis (Gredler, 1881) snails, the intermediate host of Schistosoma japonicum, was surveyed using the histochemical and enzyme-histochemical techniques. The results showed that the glycogen with high activity was widely distributed in snails. DNA showed its strongest reaction in testis. The histone was distributed in sites of the radula, parenchyma of penis and ovary. LDH and SDH were widely distributed in snails and all were abundant. Sites of the strongest enzyme activities of G-6-PDH were evident in the reproductive system together with central ganglia. Only the ovary showed a strong enzyme activity of G-6-Pase. Most tissues and organs contained CCO, and the activity of this enzyme was very strong. 5′-NT showed a strong enzyme activity in the ovary and testis. Mg2+-ATPase was localized in sites of the liver, stomach and reproductive gland. A strong enzyme activity of ALP appeared in the digestive system. ACP showed a low activity in snails. The central ganglia, nervous stem, liver, branchial duct, epithelia of the head and foot regions showed a very strong enzyme activity of CHE. The findings could provide a theoretical basis for development of highly effective molluscicides with low toxicity to other biota, as well as means for novel snail control strategies.