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Energy restriction and severe zinc deficiency influence growth, survival and reproduction of Heligmosomoides polygyrus (Nematoda) during primary and challenge infections in mice

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

H. N. Shi ,
M. E. Scott ,
K. G. Koski ,
M. Boulay  and
M. M. Stevenson
H. N. Shi
Affiliation:
Institute of Parasitology, Macdonald Campus of McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3F9, Canada
M. E. Scott
Affiliation:
Institute of Parasitology, Macdonald Campus of McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3F9, Canada
K. G. Koski
Affiliation:
School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, Macdonald Campus of McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada
M. Boulay
Affiliation:
School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, Macdonald Campus of McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne de Bellevue, Quebec H9X 3V9, Canada
M. M. Stevenson
Affiliation:
Center for the Study of Host Resistance, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 Cedar, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1A4, Canada
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Summary

The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the impact of severe zinc deficiency on the establishment, growth, survival and reproduction of Heligmosomoides polygyrus in the laboratory mouse, during both primary and challenge infection protocols, and (2) to determine whether the observed effects resulted from zinc deficiency per se, or from the accompanying energy restriction. Three diet groups were used: zinc-sufficient (Zn+: 60 mg zinc/kg diet), zinc-deficient (Zn·75 mg zinc/kg diet) and energy restricted (ER: 60 mg zinc/kg diet pair fed to Zn− mice). Neither Zn− nor ER influenced the establishment of the parasite during a primary infection. However, both significantly influenced the early development of the parasite. The proportion of adult worms recovered 9 days post-infection (p.i.) was highest in Zn− mice, intermediate in ER mice and lowest in +Zn+ mice. Worms were also distributed more distally in the intestine of the Zn− mice and worm survival was highest in Zn− mice, intermediate in ER mice and lowest in Zn+ mice at both 4 and 5 weeks p.i. Although the length of female worms was reduced in Zn− mice, neither per capita fecundity nor egg viability was affected by zinc deficiency. Energy restriction, on the other hand, significantly reduced worm fecundity at 5 weeks post-primary infection, but had no effect on egg viability. Zinc concentration of adult H. polygyrus was similar among dietary groups. The effects of zinc deficiency and energy restriction were also investigated 4 and 5 weeks after a challenge infection. Whereas strong host resistance was evident in Zn+ and ER mice, based on comparison of worm numbers between challenged mice and primary infection controls, no evidence of resistance was detected in Zn− mice. As in the primary infection, female worms were shorter in Zn− mice than in ER and Zn+ mice, and energy restriction but not zinc deficiency significantly affected per capita fecundity. However, in contrast to the primary infection, ER mice had elevated rather than reduced fecundity. This study demonstrates a complex interaction between H. polygyrus and zinc and energy restriction, and highlights the importance of controlling for reduced food intake in nutrition–infection studies.

Keywords

zincenergynematodegrowthsurvivalreproductionmiceHeligmosomoides polygyrus
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 110 , Issue 5 , June 1995 , pp. 599 - 609
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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