A study of ultrastructure of egg shell of Schistosoma japonicum. I. Transmission electron microscopic observation of S. japonicum egg.

ABSTRACT

Ultrathin sections of egg shell of S. Japonicum were observed. The micropores and network of microcanals were first reported in egg shell of S. japonicum. Both the micropores and microcanals are lined by a membrane being continous with the inner layer of egg shell and filled with materials coming from inside of the egg. As in the egg of S. mansoni, the possibility of micropores and microcanals that may play an important role as natural channels in secreting materials such as soluble antigens and histolytic enzymes... etc., is discussed.