Fig. 8

Immunohistological detection of endobacteria in female reproductive tissue of adult P.elegans using antisera against rPeNsp-3. a Single endobacteria (arrows) in the vitelline follicles. b High density of endobacteria (arrows) in the Mehlis’ gland. c Endobacteria (arrows) in the ovary, with low numbers in the center and moderate density in the periphery. d Clusters of endobacteria (arrows) in vitelline material within the ootype. No endobacteria were labeled in the egg cells. e Magnification of boxed area in e showing the typical ‘donut’- shaped staining pattern (arrow) for a surface protein. f Endobacteria (arrow) in the metraterm. The cross-section of the distal uterus shows green autofluorescence. g A few endobacteria (arrows) in a fully assembled intra-uterine egg. Note that the egg shell shows weak green autofluorescence. Abbreviations: ec, egg cell; m, membrane; Mg, Mehlis’ gland; ot, ootype; ov, ovary; p, parenchyma; vf, vitelline follicle. Scale-bars: a, c-e, 25 μm; f, g, 1 μm