ACTIN IN SPERMATIDS AND SPERMATOZOA OF TELADORSAGIA-CIRCUMCINCTA AND TRICHOSTRONGYLUS-COLUBRIFORMIS (NEMATODA, TRICHOSTRONGYLIDA)

Trichostrongyle nematodes provide valuable models for the stud of nema tode sperm, because their mole germ cells are large and elongate, allo wing easy identification of cell organelles. A previous study led to t he unexpected result that actin co-localizes with MSP (Major Sperm Pro tein) in spermatids and spermatozoa of Heligmosomoides polygyrus. Acti n expression in mole germ cells of Teladorsagia circumcincta and Trich ostrongylus colubriformis was studied using a monoclonal anti-actin an tibody. Actin was demonstrated in the << fibrous bodies >> in spermati ds and in on anterior cop in spermatozoa. The actin labelling pattern in the two species studied was similar to that found in H, polygyrus, suggesting that this distribution of actin might be general for nemato de male germ cells.