Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-hc48f Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T09:36:46.441Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Distribution of zinc in parasitic helminths

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2009

N. Chowdhury
Affiliation:
Punjab Agricultural University, Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Physiology, College of Veterinary Science, Ludhiana 141004, Punjab, India
Rajvir Singh
Affiliation:
Punjab Agricultural University, Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Physiology, College of Veterinary Science, Ludhiana 141004, Punjab, India

Abstract

The distribution of zinc in representative groups of parasitic helminths was determined by the use of the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results of these analyses have shown that growing flukes (smaller forms) with active oogenesis and spermatogenesis contained more zinc than old (large) or very old adults with an empty uterus and large lobulated testes. In cestodes, the neck region and immature proglottids showed more zinc concentration than mature and gravid proglottids and fully grown cyst walls. Similarly, the youngest endogenous daughter cysts of Echinococcus granulosus contained more zinc in their walls than those of larger/older forms. Zinc was concentrated more in nematode eggs than in adult females.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Bolla, R. I. & Roberts, L. S. (1970) Developmental physiology of cestodes. VIII. Inhibition of ribonucleic acid synthesis by actinomycin-D in developing Hymenolepis diminuta. Journal of Parasitology, 56, 11511158.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bolla, R. I. & Roberts, L. S. (1971) Developmental physiology of cestodes. IX. Cytological characteristics of the germinative region of Hymenolepis diminuta. Journal of Parasitology, 57, 267277.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chesters, J. K. (1974) Biochemical functions of zinc with emphasis on nucleic acid metabolism and cell division. In: Trace element metabolism in animals—2 (Hoekstra, W. G., Suttie, J. W., Ganther, H. E., Mertz, W. eds.), University Park Press: Baltimore.Google Scholar
Fujioka, M. & Liberman, I. (1964) A Zn++ requirement for synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid by rat liver. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 239, 11641167.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Goldsmid, J. M. (1986) Inorganic elements in adult Ternidens deminutus (Nematoda: Strongylidae: Oesophagostominae) from humans and baboons. Journal of Helminthology, 60, 147148.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kay, J. E., Leventhal, B. G. & Cooper, H. L. (1969) Effects of inhibition of rRNA synthesis on the stimulation of lymphocytes by phytohaemagglutinin. Experimental Cell Research, 54, 94100.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lal, S. S. & Kumar, S. (1985) Total ash and inorganic substances of five species of nematodes from ruminants. Indian Journal of Parasitology, 9, 9798.Google Scholar
Nadakal, A. M. & Nair, K. V. (1982) A comparative study on the mineral composition of the poultry cestode. Raillietina tetragona Molin, 1858 and certain tissues of its host. Proceeding of Indian Academy of Science (Animal Science), 91, 153158.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sood, M. L. & Kapur, J. (1980) Inorganic elements in the adults of Haemonchus contortus (Nematoda: Trichostrongylidae). Journal of Helminthology, 54, 253254.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Von BRAND, T. (1973) Inorganic substances. In: Biochemistry of Parasites, Academic Press Inc. pp. 147.Google Scholar