The energy metabolism of adultHaemonchus contortus, in vitro

Abstract

SummaryA comparison was made of the major excretory products when adultHaemonchus contortusworms were incubated with D-[U-14C]glucose under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Catabolites measured were propan-1-ol, acetate,n-propionate and CO2and the only major difference was that nearly twice as much CO2both 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 CO2production 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.