Structure and function of the spermatheca in a snail host of schistosomiasis, Biomphalaria glabrata

The histochemistry and ultrastructure (SEM and TEM) of the spermatheca of Biomphalaria glabrata was investigated to elucidate the function of this organ and to compare its structure and function to similar organs found in other species. The spermatheca has a debris-filled lumen surrounded by a thin wall of tissue. The cells adjacent to the lumen are of three columnar epithelial cell types. Two cell types have abundant microvilli and mammalian cell-like organelle distribution and morphology. The above cell types differ in the electron density of their cytoplasms, nuclear morphologies, and organelle content. The third cell type differs from the other two in its cytoplasmic makeup. However, the most distinctive difference is the presence of large numbers of cilia at the apical surface with no evidence of microvilli. These columnar cells rest on a basal lamina adjacent to a two to three cell thick muscle layer. The entire organ is surrounded by an adventitia of unusual morphology. Histochemical investigation demonstrated that DNAase, RNAase, and protease are present in the lumen, alkaline phosphatase is associated primarily with the microvilli, small amounts of acid phosphatase are concentrated in the midcell area of the columnar epithelium, and ATPase activity is localized in the muscle cells and just below the absorptive surface of the microvillous cells. The luminal contents and adventitial areas are Sudan Black B positive, all areas of the lumen and organ wall are PAS positive, the cell nuclei and amorphous masses in the lumen showed Feulgen staining, and large vesicles in the columnar cells were Oil Red O positive. Apparently, the spermatheca of B. glabrata is both a digestive and absorptive structure. Although this organ shares functional similarities with those found in opisthobranchs and terrestrial pulmonates, the epithelia of the spermatheca differ dramatically in these groups.