NEUROPEPTIDE F-IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN THE TETRATHYRIDIUM OF MESOCESTOIDES-CORTI (CESTODA, CYCLOPHYLLIDEA)

The distribution pattern and subcellular localisation of neuropeptide F (NPF) immunoreactivity (IR) in the tetrathyridium stage of Mesocesto ides corti were investigated by whole-mount immunocytochemistry in con junction with confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) and by immunoe lectron microscopy using immunogold labeling. Using an antiserum direc ted to the C-terminal decapeptide amide (residues 30-39) of synthetic NPF (Moniezia expansa), CSLM revealed NPF-IR throughout the central an d peripheral nervous systems of parental and dividing tetrathyridia. U ltrastructurally, gold labeling of NPF-IR was confined to the contents of the smaller of the two sizes of electron-dense neuronal vesicle id entified.