Cement glands inAcanthocephalus serendibensisCrusz & Mills, 1970 (Acanthocephala: Palaeacanthocephala: Echinorhynchidae)

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe cement glands ofAcanthocephalus serendibensishave been studied, using some routine histological and histochemical procedures. There are six multinucleate syncytial glands which produce a granular secretion which is a protein-mucosubstance complex, the mucosubstance component being of the neutral type. The secretion granules are seen in the body of the glands as well as in the reservoirs and ducts. The granules presumably coalesce to form the so-called cement which is discharged during copulation and seals off the genital region of the female after copulation and insemination.