HISTOCHEMICAL DISTRIBUTION OF HYDROLYTIC ENZYMES IN ADULT ONCHOCERCA-FASCIATA (FILARIOIDEA, ONCHOCERCIDAE)

Histochemical techniques were employed to study the tissue distributio n of hydrolytic enzymes in adult female Onchocerca fasciata (Filarioid ea: Onchocercidae). Different tissues differed considerably in the loc alization and distribution of the six enzymes studied. Acid phosphatas e (AcPase) activity was detected in the cuticle, hypodermis and reprod uctive organs. Alkaline phosphatase (AlkPase) activity was largely abs ent. Adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) was found in the somatic muscul ature and muscles of the uterine ducts, whereas 5'-nucleotidase (5'-Nu ) was restricted to young oocytes and dividing embryos in the female w orm. Strong glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) activity was demonstrated in the uterine epithelial cells and microfilariae, as was weak activi ty in the hypodermis. Naphthylamidase (NAM) activity was detected in t he hypodermis, with lower activity occurring in the somatic musculatur e. The possible functions of these enzymes are discussed with respect to their location. The hydrolytic enzymes AcPase and NAM in the body w all are probably involved in absorptive-digestive functions, NAM in th e somatic musculature may be concerned with tissue protein turnover, a nd ATPase, 5'-Nu and G-6-Pase may have a role in active transport and energy metabolism.