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Physiological responses of rats to primary infection with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2009

K. S. Ovington
K. S. Ovington
Affiliation:
Department of Parasitology, Molteno Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, England, CB2 3EE.
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Abstract

The physiological responses of well-nourished rats to primary infection with the intestinal nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis were examined. Infected rats fed ad libitum were compared with uninfected control rats fed ad lib. and also with uninfected rats which were pair-fed to the infected rats. Following infection with N. brasiliensis rat food intake was reduced from day 2 post infection (pi) and there were two periods of minimal food intake (day 2 to 3 and 8 to 9 pi). The water intake of infected rats was only reduced on days 2, 3 and 9 pi and not to the same extent as food intake. Muscle catabolism in infected rats was more severe than could be explained on the basis of their food intake reduction. The rectal temperature and rate of oxygen consumption per g body-weight of rats was not significantly altered by the infection. Host responses to N. brasiliensis are compared with those seen in microbial infections and some of them are found to be considerably different.

Keywords

Nippostrongylus brasiliensisratpathophysiologynutritionmetabolic rate
Type
Research Papers
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 60 , Issue 4 , December 1986 , pp. 307 - 312
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

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