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The energy metabolism of adult Haemonchus contortus, in vitro

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

P. F. V. Ward
Affiliation:
Biochemistry Department, A.R.C. Institute of Animal Physiology, Babraham, Cambridge CB2 4AT
N. S. Huskisson
Affiliation:
Biochemistry Department, A.R.C. Institute of Animal Physiology, Babraham, Cambridge CB2 4AT

Summary

A comparison was made of the major excretory products when adult Haemonchus contortus worms were incubated with D-[U-14C]glucose under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Catabolites measured were propan-1-ol, acetate, n-propionate and CO2 and the only major difference was that nearly twice as much CO2 both in terms of quantity and radioactivity was excreted under aerobic than anaerobic conditions. The worms were also much more physically active under aerobic conditions. When worms were incubated under aerobic conditions with increasing amounts of fluoroacetate their CO2 production was progressively reduced to the anaerobic level. Their movement and their ability to clump together was also progressively reduced. After aerobic incubation with fluoroacetate and D-[U-14C]g1ucose the quantity and radioactivity of citrate within worms increased greatly. When worms were similarly incubated anaerobically no increase in citrate occurred, no radioactivity was associated with the citrate and the worms appeared physically unaffected. When worms were incubated aerobically with fluoro[1-14C]acetate they produced radioactive fluorocitrate.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1978

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