MORPHOLOGICAL-STUDY OF ADULT MALE WORMS OF SCHISTOSOMA-MANSONI SAMBON, 1907 BY SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY

Tubercles, spines and sensory receptors are the most studied structure s of adult male worms of Schistosoma mansoni isolated in other countri es. The purpose of this investigation was to properly define these str uctures in Brazilian worms. Specimens 7-8 weeks after infection were r ecovered from albino SW mice and from a wild rodent (Nectomys squamipe s) and processed for scanning electron microscopy studies. Photomicrog raphs of the anterior region with the aspects related to the outer and inner regions of both stickers were considered The ventral portion of the middle region was represented by the anterior of gynaecophoric ca nal while the dorsal surface was studied in its ventral and dorsal reg ions mainly focusing the aspect of the tubercles, spines and sensorial papillae. The outer surface of the oral sucker is spiny and spines ar e bigger, sharp with sensory receptors in their posterior edge. Tuberc les with spines or receptors are more concentrated in the middle regio n and in one of the margins of the gynaecophoric canal. An excretory p ore-like structure in the posterior portion was observed. The gynaecop horic canal has few sensory structures, spines broadened in their mid- region and are sharp pointed at the distal end. It was concluded that the presently studied characters are similar to those previously repor ted.