Ultrastructure of Mehlis' gland in the lung fluke,Paragonimus ohirai (Trematoda: Troglotrematidae)

Abstract

Mehlis' gland of a digenetic trematode, Paragonimus ohirai, is composed of two types of secretory cells, DB and CB. The less abundant type (DB) produces dense bodies, with the cytoplasm characterized by greatly distended cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum. The other type (CB) synthesizes clear, vesicular bodies. Its cytoplasm contains numerous mitochondria, rough endoplasmic reticulum with narrow cisternae, and abundant Golgi complexes. Processes of the two cell types converge on the ootype-proximal uterine wall, pass through the epithelium, and finally open into the lumen. These proximal processes contain longitudinally arranged microtubules whose luminal ends are anchored to the epithelium by ring-form septate desmosomes. According to the distribution of the two types of processes, three different zones (DB, mixed, and CB) can be recognized within the epithelia. As the CB processes enter the lumen predominantly beyond the uterine valve region, this cell may produce secretions required for egg shell maturation or hardening. The role of DB cells (which enter the lumen more commonly in the ootype near the oviduct) remains unknown.