Figure 5

Scanning electron microscopy of equine enteroid monolayers in the absence and presence of nematode larvae. Representative SEM images of the apical surface of equine enteroid monolayers originating from one horse and kept as A untreated controls (n = 5) or B in co-culture with a mix of P. univalens, cyathostomin and S. vulgaris third stage larvae for 48 h (n = 3). The different degrees of microvilliated surfaces are indicated by dashed boxes showing areas with less (black) a more (white) dense microvilli. Both untreated and parasite exposed monolayers exhibited cellular structures indicative of (C) goblet cell orifices and (D) tuft cell microvilli. E Strongyle larvae and F P. univalens larvae atop the monolayer surface. Scale bars = 50 µm for A, B, E, F and 2 µm for C, D