Male-stimulated female maturation inSchistosoma: A review

InSchistosoma mansoni and other schistosome species, pairing of the female with a male partner is necessary for the completion of reproductive morphogenesis and growth. Permanent contact with a male is also necessary for the maintenance of reproductivity in the sexually mature female. This phenomenon appears to be unique within the animal kingdom. The mechanism of male-stimulated female reproductive development in schistosomes remains unknown however. In this paper, the theories for the nature of the process are reviewed briefly, recent findings are added, and the biological and technical problems associated with its study are highlighted.