Parasitic castration of Eurhomalea lenticularis (Bivalvia: Veneridae) by a digenetic trematode: Quantitative histological analysis

Abstract

The clam Eurhomalea lenticularis may be parasitized by digenean trematodes of the family Plagiorchidae, specifically in the gonads (parasitic castration). A quantitative histological analysis of the parasitized gonads demonstrated a significant decrease in gonadal area, in the size of individual acini, and in the numbers of differentiated germ cells compared to unparasitized clams. Castration may be caused by mechanical compression due to trematode sporocyst growth. However, the uniform loss of germ cells in areas without sporocysts suggests that a more generalized mechanism is responsible. We suggest that parasitic castration has a primary effect on the host's neuroendocrine and gametogenic systems that regulate gamete production.