Ectopic ossicles associated with metacercariae of Apophallus brevis (Trematoda) in yellow perch, Perca ftavescens (Teleostei): development and identification of hone and chondroid bone

Abstract

This paper describes the development and tissues in mineralized ossicles in the musculature of Perca flavescens infected with metacercariae of the trematode Apophallus brevis. Analysis involved light microscopy, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray scanning electron microprobe analysis, and tetracycline labelling. Two to 14 days post-infection, fibroblast-like host cells stream towards the parasite cyst forming a fusiform cellular capsule. By 14 days post-infection the capsule differentiates into an inner hypertrophied layer, an extensive middle layer of fibroblast-like cells, and a thin outer layer of flattened fibroblast-like cells forming a fibrous sheath at the capsule/muscle interface. From 21-35 days post-infection, a bony tissue is deposited periosteally in an equatorial ring around the cyst. With time, additional tissue is secreted over the ring increasing its thickness and advancing the matrix front towards the poles of the ossicle. Plump osteoblast-like cells cover the developing ossicle and may become trapped within the matrix in lacunae encapsulated by collagen. By 63 days post-infection, medium-sized ossicles are morphologically similar to large cysts from perch captured in the wild; ovoid with two polarized canals, but lacking acellular or lamellar bone-like tissue. Mineralized ossicles contain calcium, phosphorus and oxygen. Large ossicles retrieved from perch given multiple doses of tetracycline revealed discrete fluorescent bands, indicative of incremental growth. Fully developed ossicles are composed of two skeletal tissues, an inner region of chondroid bone and an outer region of acellular, lamellar bone.

Joint effects of parasitism and pollution on oxidative stress biomarkers in yellow perch Perca flavescens

“…Furthermore, results suggest that infection with A. brevis can cause pathological effects away from the site of infection, as metacercariae are found on the skin and in muscle, but effects were measured in liver. This parasite is unique in that it induces a host reaction consisting of the formation of a mineralized ossicle or cyst (Taylor et al 1993) which conceivably may pose an oxidative stress to the host as a result of the chronic inflammation at the infection site (Taylor et al 1994). The effects of parasitic infection are all the more interesting because they were evident at relatively low intensities, especially for R. acus.…”

Chondroid bone in dinosaur embryos and nestlings (Ornithischia: Hadrosauridae): Insights into the growth of the skull and the evolution of skeletal tissues

“…• as mentioned earlier, CB is an adaptation to rapid growth (Gillis et al, 2006;Goret-Nicaise, 1986;Huysseune and Verraes, 1986;Taylor et al, 1994). The fact that CB was found in large amounts in these dinosaur embryos suggests a rapid embryonic skull growth.…”

“…It has been reported in fossil agnathans and placoderms (Ørvig, 1951), in teleosts (e.g., in the kype of the Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, Gillis et al, 2006; in the pharyngeal jaws of some African cichlids, Huysseune, 1985; in bony cysts of the yellow perch, Perca flavescens, Taylor et al, 1994), in mammals (in deer antlers, Wislocki et al, 1947; in the growing skull of human fetuses and infants, e.g., Goret-Nicaise, 1986; at muscle, tendon and ligament attachments of rabbit long bones, Hurov, 1986; in the cat skull, Goret-Nicaise et al, 1984; in miniature pig sutures, Rafferty and Herring, 1999), in crocodiles (in the embryonic skull of Alligator mississippiensis, Vickaryous and Hall, 2008) and in birds (in the skull of chick embryos, Hall, 1971Hall, , 1972Lengelé, 1997;Lengelé et al, 1990Lengelé et al, , 1996aLengelé et al, , 1996bMurray, 1963). It is also found as a transitional tissue in bone sarcomas and tumors of human patients (see Beresford, 1981and Hall, 2005, 2014 in press for full reviews).…”

“…• rapid growth (Gillis et al, 2006;Goret-Nicaise, 1986;Huysseune and Verraes, 1986;Taylor et al, 1994); • sutural growth (and later sutural fusion). Indeed, its growth rate was estimated by fluorescence labeling in the cat mandible at 44 to 67 microns/day, while the rate of lamellar bone formation was only 5.3 to 8.9 microns/day (Goret-Nicaise, 1986).…”

“…It can also arise after hatching (or after birth) in zones that are still under tensional stress. CB has not been investigated in many taxa, but beside from mammals and birds (the preferred laboratory animals in skeletal biology and histology), it has been found in agnathans (Ørvig, 1951), teleosteans (e.g., Gillis et al, 2006, Huysseune and Verraes, 1986, Taylor et al, 1994, and more recently in the skull of Alligator mississippiensis embryos (Vickaryous and Hall, 2008; see their see their figures 6G and 6H p 411). Therefore, from a phylogenetic perspective, CB seems to be widely distributed among Vertebrata.…”