Histoenzymatic studies of metacercaria of Fasciola hepatica
Skotarczak, B.
Wiadomosci Parazytologiczne 33(6): 673-679
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0043-5163 PMID: 2841809 Document Number: 296877
Using histochemical methods the enzyme activity was studied in the tissues of metacercariae of F. hepatica which had passed 1 and 2 months in external environment, and compared with the results of the studies on the larvae immediately after their metamorphosis from cercariae. In the body integument, parenchyma, suckers, encystation glands, pharynx and protonephridia of the larvae of three series (I, II and III), the activity of acid and alkaline phosphatase, ATP-ase, cytochrome oxidase and succinate and lactate dehydrogenase was determined. The activity of the acid phosphatase and respiratory enzymes in older larvae (series II and III) shows a decrease as compared with the newly metamorphosed metacercariae (series I). However, the level of the ATP-ase activity in the encystation glands is higher in the larvae which have passed 1 month (series II) and 2 months (series III) in aquatic environment than in the larvae two days old i.e. immediately after their emergence from the cyst.