Vitellogenesis in the cestode Atractolytocestus huronensis Anthony, 1958 (Caryophyllidea: Lytocestidae).

Vitellogenesis in the parthenogenetic caryophyllidean tapeworm Atractolytocestus huronensis Anthony, 1958, parasitizing the carp Cyprinus carpio L., has been examined using light (LM) and transmission electron microscopy and cytochemical staining with periodic acid-thiosemicarbazide-silver proteinate for glycogen. It was found that formation of vitellocytes shares the same basic patterns in lower tapeworms with parthenogenetic and normal reproduction. Each vitelline follicle of A. huronensis consists of vitellocytes at various stages of development and an interstitial tissue. Projections of the interstitial tissue surround each vitellocyte and extend as a cytoplasmic sheath on the follicular periphery. In contrary to other Eucestoda, interstitial tissue of A. huronensis includes numerous electron-dense vesicles of various sizes. Maturing and mature vitellocytes contain vitelline material in the form of single small shell globules, which may gradually fuse and give rise to the large shell globule clusters. Shell globule clusters are of two types in A. huronensis. Additional vitelline material is represented by single "lamellar" granules and glycogen in the cytoplasm of mature vitellocytes. The ultrastructural features of vitellogenesis and/or vitellocyte in A. huronensis are compared with that in other caryophyllideans and/or Neodermata.