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Sex-manipulated Ascaris suum infections in pigs: implications for reproduction

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 1997

G. JUNGERSEN ,
L. ERIKSEN ,
P. NANSEN  and
H.-P. FAGERHOLM
G. JUNGERSEN
Affiliation:
Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Bülowsvej 13, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark Department of Clinical Studies, Large Animal Medicine, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Bülowsvej 13, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
L. ERIKSEN
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Studies, Large Animal Medicine, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Bülowsvej 13, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
P. NANSEN
Affiliation:
Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Bülowsvej 13, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Copenhagen, Denmark
H.-P. FAGERHOLM
Affiliation:
Institute of Parasitology, Department of Biology, Åbo Akademi University, BioCity, Artillerig. 6, 20520 Åbo, Finland
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Abstract

In spite of the vast distribution and considerable impact on human and animal health of Ascaris suum and A. lumbricoides, little is known of the sexual biology and reproductive capacity of these intestinal nematodes. By oral transfer of adult female worms to previously parasite-naive pigs we show that in the absence of males the egg production ceases after 2–3 weeks. Such females readily resume egg production a few days after oral transfer of male worms. These observations throw light on an important aspect of Ascaris biology, but also pave the way for possible experimental interbreeding between the human and pig Ascaris species.

Keywords

Ascaris suumworm transfernematode reproductionexperimental infectionsegg productionpig
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 115 , Issue 4 , October 1997 , pp. 439 - 442
Copyright
1997 Cambridge University Press

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