NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry selectively stains peripheral and central sensory structures of lumbricid earhworms

Abstract

By means of whole mount NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry the distribution pattern of primary sensory cells (PSC) and the pathway of their central processes in the ventral nerve cord (VNC) ganglia were investigated in the lumbricid earthworms, Eisenia fetida and Lumbricus terrestris. The distribution pattern of the stained structures seemed to be the same in both species investigated. Strong labelling occurred in sensory fibre branches of segmental nerves and in each of the sensory longitudinal axon bundles of VNC ganglia. Based on their anatomical location some NADPH-d positive central sensory cells were identified from among which the putative tactile receptors were characterized by constant, strong staining.

Mechanosensory cells in annelid oligochaete Lumbricus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758): A new insight on worm evolution

“…Ogawa (1939) also isolated sensory cells scattered among the sense organs in Pheretima communissima (Kingberg, 1867). However, more recent studies highlighted single sensory cells in annelids (Kiszler et al, 2012; Mill, 1982; Solt et al, 2016). Knapp conducted an ultrastructural study of the body wall of earthworms highlighting three types of sensory cells.…”