Observations on the nutrition of digenetic trematodes

Abstract

Both histological and histochemical studies have been made of the food, mode of feeding, gut cell structure and digestive sequences in a selected number of digenetic trematodes.The species investigated range from gut-dwelling trematodes feeding on the superficial epithelial tissues and associated mucoid secretions of the host to those forms living within the respiratory and circulatory system and feeding exclusively on blood.The mode of feeding is suctorial, brought about by the muscular pharynx and normal attachment process of the oral sucker. In one case there is evidence that this purely mechanical process is supplemented with enzymic secretions produced by the trematode which have a histolytic effect upon host tissues.On the basis of gut cell structure the species investigated are divided into those with cells and associated microvilli that vary in size and appearance so that the gastrodermal border is irregular in outline, and those with a gastrodermis comprising regular cuboidal or columnar cells bearing microvilli organized into a striated border. There is evidence to suggest that this difference in gut cell structure reflects differences in digestion. In all cases, gland cells are absent from the gastrodermis which is capable of both secretory and absorptive functions.Digestion is predominantly an extracellular process, but the exact sequence varies according to the nature of the food ingested and different degrees of adaptation are shown by the trematodes to the blood-feeding habit. The tissue-feeding species show less modification.I wish to thank Dr J. B. Jennings for helpful discussion and advice throughout the course of this work. The study was undertaken during the tenure of a Studentship from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.