Ultrastructural study of the glandular system and its participation in tegument formation in Echinostoma revolutum cercaria.

Six types of gland cells occurring in the body of developing Echinostoma revolutum cercaria are described at ultrastructural level. Three types of the gland cells, lateral, ventral and dorsal, release their secretion into the tegument of cercaria during its development in the media. Another three types, paraoesophageal, penetration and proper cytogenic gland cells are preserved in the body of the free-swimming cercaria. The paraoesophageal gland cells open on the tegument surface. Secretory granules of all types of gland cells and stratification of the body tegument arising by gradual release of the contents of the above mentioned three types of gland cells are characterized in detail.