A morphological and histochemical study of egg formation in a cyclophyllidean cestode

Abstract

1. The morphology and histochemistry of the genitalia concerned in the formation of the egg in Multiceps smyihi n.sp. are described.2. The vitelline cells are devoid of the phenolic protein globules, which occur in the vitelline cells of the Pseudophyllidea; this result is correlated with the absence of a true external egg-shell.3. The hardened embryophore (often mistakenly termed the egg-shell) gives none of the reactions of sclerotin (tanned protein) or chitin, but gives a strong P.F.A.S. reaction for disulphide bonds, suggesting that it is a ‘keratin’ type of protein.4. The cells of Mehlis' gland secrete a material which is intensely P.A.S.-positive and is not digested by saliva, α-amylase or hyaluronidase. This suggests that it may be secreting a mucopolysaccharide or muco- or glycoprotein.