Anaerobic Excretion of Fermentation Acids by Hymenolepis diminuta during Development in the Definitive Host

Succinic, acetic, and lactic acids are the major anaerobic fermentation acids excreted in vitro by Hymenolepis diminuta. In parasites recovered from immature (6-day) infections in white rats that were fed ad lib. in the dark for 12 hr, approximately equal amounts of succinic and lactic acids, and le...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of parasitology 1974-08, Vol.60 (4), p.621-625
Main Authors: Stuart D. M. Watts, Fairbairn, Donald
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acetates - metabolism
Acids - metabolism
Anaerobiosis
Animals
Cestoda - growth & development
Cestoda - metabolism
Circadian Rhythm
Dehydrogenases
Enzymes
Excretion
Fasting
Fermentation
Glycogen
Glycogen - metabolism
Hymenolepiasis
Infections
Lactates - metabolism
Male
Parasite hosts
Parasites
Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex - metabolism
Rats
Sazes
Succinates - metabolism
Time Factors
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Summary:Succinic, acetic, and lactic acids are the major anaerobic fermentation acids excreted in vitro by Hymenolepis diminuta. In parasites recovered from immature (6-day) infections in white rats that were fed ad lib. in the dark for 12 hr, approximately equal amounts of succinic and lactic acids, and less acetic acid, were excreted. In the succeeding 12-hr period of fasting in the light, production of succinic and acetic acids from endogenous glycogen reserves was unaffected, whereas that of lactic acid decreased markedly. The pattern was different in parasites recovered from 10- and 14-day infections, in that quantitative differences in acid excretion during feeding and fasting periods were not observed, lactic acid production was relatively small, and succinic acid constituted about half of the total excreted acids. An active pyruvate decarboxylase enzyme complex presumably accounted for the formation of acetate from pyruvate. The existence of lactate dehydrogenase, and a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase leading to succinate production were already known. A calculation of the carbon content of excreted acids in terms of µmoles phosphoenolpyruvate carbon/mg protein showed that the rates of excretion of fermentation acids in 6- and 14-day infections did not differ.
ISSN:0022-3395
1937-2345
DOI:10.2307/3278721