ISSN:
1573-1561
Keywords:
Schistosoma mansoni
;
chemotaxis
;
attraction
;
primer pheromone
;
releaser pheromone
;
in vitro maintenance
;
circular statistics
;
ecdysone
;
cholesterol
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Chemistry and Pharmacology
Notes:
Abstract Chemical orientation of adult maleSchistosoma mansoni was studied during cultivation in vitro. Directional preference was assessed in culture vessels marked with compass coordinates by the application of circular statistics for determining clustering and orientation to a predicted direction. Organic solvent extracts of fresh female schistosomes and supernatant fluids from 72-hr cultures of female parasites were tested for potential chemotactic activity. Analysis showed significant (P 〈 0.05) directional preference and clustering of male worms towards test compounds at all time periods (24, 48, and 72 hr) with one mixture of female extracts and at one of three time periods with a second female extract. Male worms did not respond to ecdysone, cholesterol, or solvent controls by orienting in predicted direction, although clustering was observed on two of 12 occasions. These results indicate the presence of a chemoattractant compound(s) in female extracts.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01022378
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