Biochemical composition and carbohydrate metabolism of the metacercariae of Clinostomum complanatum (Trematoda: Digenea)

Abstract

The biochemical composition of the metacercariae of Clinostomum complanatum is: free glucose 0·516% of wet wt (2·14% of dry wt), glycogen 4·39% of wet wt (18·30% of dry wt), protein 8·7% of wet wt (36·23% of dry wt), lipids 8·64% of wet wt (35·96% of dry wt), RNA 0·08% of wet wt (0·335% of dry wt) and DNA 0·035% of wet wt (0·145% of dry wt). The pattern of glucose uptake, glucose leakage and effect of starvation on the glycogen content is similar to that reported for adult digeneans. Lactic and pyruvic acids (1·478 and 0·019μimol/g wet wt/h respectively) were found in the incubates, suggesting the presence of an active carbohydrate metabolism. Protein and lipid metabolism are also discussed briefly.