Separation of the Syncytial Layer of Spargana using Urea.

Author: Hyun Jong YANG ¹
Author Information

1. Department of Parasitology and Ewha Medical Research Center, Ewha Global Challenge, School of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 158-710, Korea. parayang@ewha.ac.kr
Publication Type:Brief Communication ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Keywords: Spirometra mansoni; sparganum; tegument; syncytial layer; urea
MeSH: Animals; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Snakes/parasitology; Sparganum/chemistry/cytology/isolation & purification; Spirometra/*chemistry/*cytology/isolation & purification; Urea/*chemistry
From:The Korean Journal of Parasitology 2009;47(1):69-71
CountryRepublic of Korea
Language:English
Abstract: The tegument of tapeworms is known to be composed of an outer syncytial cytoplasm layer which includes microtriches and cytoplasmic organelles (= syncytial layer), and a parenchymatous cytoplasm layer that contains subtegumental cell nuclei (= subtegumental layer) and organelles. In the present study, separation of the syncytial layer of the sparganum, the plerocercoid stage of Spirometra mansoni, was tried using urea as the chemical reagent. Histological sections were prepared to visualize the status of separation after staining with hematoxylin and eosin. The results showed that the syncytial layer of the sparganum tegument which includes microtriches and cytoplasmic organelles were successfully separated from the parenchyma using 3 M urea.