The effect of anaerobiosis on adenosine nucleotide levels inNematospiroides dubiusandTrichostrongylus colubriformis in vitro

Abstract

SUMMARYThe adenosine nucleotide and adenylate energy charge values ofNematospiroides dubiusandTrichostrongylus colubriformismaintainedin vitrounder aerated and under near-anoxic conditions have been measured. Maintenance of the nematodes in both conditions had an adverse effect on their energy metabolism, but in comparing these effects it was found that the changes were more significant in those nematodes maintained in near-anoxic conditions and that the changes were more apparent in male nematodes. The smaller changes in the energy charge values of female worms, particularlyN. dubiuswhere there was no difference between worms in aerated conditions and those in near-anoxic conditions, were explained by the presence of eggs in the nematodes. At no time did the energy charge of nematodes in near-anoxic conditions fall below 0·50 but, whereas nematodes in aerated conditions were able to continue moving throughout the experiment, those in near-anoxic conditions stopped moving during the first 3 h. It is suggested that in the absence of sufficient oxygen the nematodes were able to maintain their energy charge above 0·50 by removal of AMP from the adenylate pool, resulting in the depletion of their total adenylate. The changes in the energy charge and behaviour of the nematodes are related to the survival of the nematodes in the oxygen-deficient environment which they inhabitin vivo.