Figure 7.

Morphological analyses of S. mansoni couples after in vitro treatment with the inhibitor BIBF1120. Couples of S. mansoni were treated with different concentrations of the FGFR inhibitor BIBF1120 for 96 h in vitro (D–I) und subsequently analyzed for morphological alterations. Worms supplied with 1 μM inhibitor showed no obvious changes in vitality and morphology compared to those of the DMSO control using bright field microscopy (A,D). A more detailed examination by CLSM revealed an effect of BIBF1120 treatment on the gonads of both genders. Testicular lobes of treated males were reduced in their diameter and the seminal vesicle contained fewer mature sperms (E, asterix). In females 1 μM of inhibitor led to a partial degradation of immature oocytes in the anterior part of the ovary (F, asterix) (DMSO control: B,C). In contrast 5 μM BIBF11120 had severe effects on worm vitality and pairing stability as well as morphology in general (G–I). Those worms showed a dramatically swollen intestinal tract and cells of the gonads were severely damaged. [te, testes; sv, seminal vesicle; ov, ovary; io, immature oocytes; mo, mature oocytes v, vitellarium; ga, gastrodermis; ♂, male; ♀, female].