Serotonin, reserpine, and motility in Mesocestoides tetrathyridia. An experimental spectrofluorometry and immunocytochemistry study.

The relationship between serotonin (5-HT) and motility in tetrathyridia of Mesocestoides vogae (syn. M. corti) was studied with the aid of reserpine. Reserpine decreases the content of 5-HT as measured spectrofluorometrically and immunocytochemically and, furthermore, inhibits the motility, thus indicating a connection between the two. The results support the hypothesis about 5-HT being an excitatory neurotransmitter of motor activity in M. vogue. New neuroanatomical details were revealed by immunocytochemical staining.