Summary
In order to determine the osmotic pressure optimal to adult H. microstoma, the weight changes of 16 day old worms have been studied in Ringer's solutions ranging from 113 to 429 mOsm/l and in sucrose solutions ranging from 92 to 507 mOsm/l. Although the weight changes have been followed for at least three hours it was noted that after an initial period all tapeworms start loosing weight so that only the results recorded after 30 min were considered valid. They show that in H. microstoma the osmoregulation is more effective in hyperosmotic than in hyposmotic conditions. Using regression lines of these results on a semi-log scale it was found that the osmolarity for no weight change is 270 mOsm/l (δ=0.50° C) in the Ringer's solution and 248 mOsm/l (δ=0.46° C) in the sucrose solution.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anya, A. O.: Investigations on osmotic regulation in the parasitic nematode, Aspiculuris tetraptera Schulz. Parasitology 56, 583–588 (1966).
Berntzen, A. K.: The in vitro cultivation of tapeworms. I. Growth of Hymenolepis diminuta (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea). J. Parasit. 47, 351–355 (1961).
— The in vitro cultivation of tapeworms. II. Growth and maintenance of Hymenolepis nana (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea). J. Parasit. 48, 785–797 (1962).
Evans, W. S.: The in vitro cultivation of Hymenolepis microstoma from cysticercoid to egg-producing adult. Canad. J. Zool. 48, 1135–1137 (1970).
— De Rycke, P. H.: The in vitro cultivation of Hymenolepis. Parasitology 59, 20P-21P (1969).
Hopkins, C. A.: The in vitro cultivation of cestodes with particular reference to Hymenolepis nana, Fifth Symposium of the British Society for Parasitology, p. 27–47. Oxford: Blackwell 1967.
Read, C. P., Simmons, J. E., Jr.: Biochemistry and physiology of tapeworms. Physiol. Rev. 43, 263–305 (1963).
Siddiqi, A. H., Lutz, P. L.: Osmotic and ionic regulation in Fasciola gigantica (Trematoda: Digenea). Exp. Parasit. 19, 348–357 (1966).
Sinha, D. P., Hopkins, C. A.: In vitro cultivation of the tapeworm Hymenolepis nana from larva to adult. Nature (Lond.) 215, 1275–1276 (1967).
Smyth, J. D.: Studies on tapeworm physiology. I. The cultivation of Schistocephalus solidus in vitro. J. exp. Biol. 23, 47–70 (1946).
— Studies on tapeworm physiology. III. Aseptic cultivation of larval Diphyllobothriidae in vitro. J. exp. Biol. 24, 374–386 (1947).
— Studies on tapeworm physiology. V. Further observations on the maturation of Schistocephalus solidus (Diphyllobothriidae) under sterile conditions in vitro. J. Parasit. 36, 371–383 (1950).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
de Rycke, P.H. Osmoregulation of hymenolepis microstoma . Z. Parasitenk. 38, 141–146 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00329025
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00329025