Activity of disaccharidases in the intestinal contents of piglets infected with gastrointestinal nematodes and activity in these nematodes

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe activity of maltase, saccharase, cellobiase, trehalase and lactase was estimated in the intestinal contents of non-infected pigs and pigs infected with several gastrointestinal nematodes and in the nematodes themselves.Enzyme activities in the intestinal contents of pigs infected withHyostrongylus rubiduswere similar to those in uninfected control pigs. However the enzyme activity of the contents of the whole intestine was increased inStrongyloides ransomiinfections and moderately increased inAscaris suuminfection. InTrichurisandOesophagostomuminfections activity was only increased in the large intestine contents.Ascaris suumcontained high activity of maltase and saccharase in its intestine and lower levels in other organs, while levels were much lower in other pig nematodes.Hyostrongylus rubidusand its third-stage larva did not contain any disaccharidases activity.The disaccharidases in the pig nematodes, especially inStrongyloides, were more sensitive to high temperatures (70°C) than those in the contents of the pig intestine.Some disaccharidases were demonstrable in embryonatedAscarisandTrichuriseggs and in third-stage larvae ofStrongyloidesandOesophagostomum.