STUDIES ON THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE CUTICLE OF NIPPOSTRONGYLUS BRASILIENSIS

Abstract

This chapter discusses a few studies on the ultrastructure of the cuticle of Nippostrongylus Brasiliensis. The cuticle of adults of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis has a thin outer triplelayered membrane, a single cortical layer, a fluid-filled layer, struts or rods that lie in this fluid-filled layer and support the longitudinal ridges, two fiber layers, and a basement lamella. A thin outer lipoid layer has been described covering the cuticle of other nematodes, but it is possible that this may be a triple-layered membrane as in Nippostrongylus. The fluid-filled layer contains hemoglobin. This layer is probably homologous with the matrix layer of Ascaris cuticle. The fiber layers are unusual in that each layer contains three layers of smaller fibers. The lateral ridges of the cuticle that project into the lateral cords are formed from the basement lamella of the cuticle.