Serotoninlike immunoreactivity in the cestode Hymenolepis diminuta.

Abstract

Serotoninlike immunoreactivity in the cestode Hymenolepis diminuta was studied at the light microscope level by using an antibody specific to serotonin. The rostellum, the cerebral ganglia and commissure, and the strobila contained numerous process-free, unipolar and multipolar serotoninlike immunoreactive cells. The suckers contained a plexus of branching immunoreactive fibers. In the strobila the multipolar cell bodies were situated laterodorsal and lateroventral to the longitudinal nerve cords, from which neurites were directed to the contralateral and ipsilateral nerve cord to form up to three transverse commissures per proglottid. Secondary varicose branches passed anteriorly, posteriorly, and obliquely along the proglottids at the level of the deep longitudinal muscles. Other varicose multi-branching neurites passed centrifugally from the primary and secondary neurites, forming vertebratelike en passant or terminal varicosities on the deep longitudinal muscles with bulbous or spinose terminals at the level of the superficial longitudinal muscles, or in the cortical parenchyma. Serotoninlike immunoreactivity was seen on the external seminal vesicle, the sphincter and cirrus sac, and the proximal portion of the vagina. Varicose terminals were concentrated at the sphincter. The close association of serotoninlike immunoreactive terminals and varicosities with the longitudinal muscles gives credence to the concept that serotonin functions as a neuromuscular transmitter or modulator in the platyhelminths.