Acta Entomologica Sinica (2004) 47, 534-537

Zhi-Gang Liu, Bing-Hui Ye and Qing-Xian Zhu (2004)
[Histological changes in the midgut epithelium of Ixodes sinensis after biting naive and immunized New Zealand white rabbits]
Acta Entomologica Sinica 47 (4), 534-537
Abstract: The histological changes in the midgut epithelium of Ixodes sinensis were examined under the light microscope and electron microscope at different times (24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 5 d and 8 d) after the first biting of naive New Zealand rabbits and after the second biting when the rabbits had been immunized by the first biting. The results indicated that after the first biting, the digestive cells of I. sinensis increased in number and in size, with microvilli closely and regularly arranged, organelles enriched, unit membrane clearly seen, and vacuoles, a large number of lipid droplets and haematin granules appearing. These cells also developed a highly infolded basal lamina, forming a labyrinth system. By contrast, after the second biting, the midgut epithelium of I. sinensis revealed rather strikingly pathological changes with the basal lamina becoming thinner, looser and broken; digestive cells damaged and vacuolated; microvilli decreased in number, shortened and disarranged; the mitochondria swollen and its crests reduced, shortened and even with myeloid changed; the rough endoplasmic reticulum dilated; lipid droplets and haematin granules decreased in number; phagocytic and pinocytic activity weakened; and basal labyrinth system vacuolized. The results suggested that the first biting results in an immunodefense reaction of the hosts and the tick midgut was the primary immunological target of the hosts after the second biting.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
(original language: Chinese)

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
general biology - morphology - evolution
resistance/tolerance/defence of host

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Ixodes sinensis