Physiology of the Hatching of Eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides

Abstract

SEVERAL methods have been described for hatching eggs of A. lumbricoides in vitro ^1,2. These methods, however, give little indication of the processes which may occur in vivo. An understanding of physiological processes of hatching of the eggs has been sought by applying a form of the hypothesis of Rogers and Sommerville³ which has been useful in examining the exsheathment of third-stage ‘larvæ’ of trichostrongyles. The modified hypothesis postulated that hatching of eggs would involve two processes: (a) stimulation by the host causing the egg contents to produce a hatching fluid and (b), the action of the hatching fluid on the egg shell.