Histochemical studies on the body wall of nematodes: Haemonchus contortus (Rud., 1803) and Xiphinema insigne Loos, 1949

Summary Histochemical studies on the body wall of Haemonchus contortus (Rud.) and Xiphinema insigne Loos have been made. In H. contortus, the cuticle is mainly proteinous in nature. The lipids and PAS-positive materials are only present in cortical layers. In addition, haemoglobin and acid phosphatase are also present. The hypodermis shows the presence of glycogen, lipids, RNA, acid and alkaline phosphatases. The oval dense body is composed of keratinous and collagenous proteins associated with acid mucopolysaccharides. Muscles carry a greater concentration of glycogen granules and phospholipids. In X. insigne, the cuticle is rich in sudanophilic lipids. The cuticle also consists of weakly acidic mucopolysaccharides. Hypodermis and muscles contain lipids and glycogen. In addition, hypodermis also consists of acidic mucopolysaccharides. The functional significance of these components has been fully discussed.