Ascorbic acid levels of trematode parasites of fish and mammalian hosts

Abstract

Ascorbic acid levels of seven species of digenetic trematodes, living under different environmental conditions in fish and mammals were determined colorimetrically. Ascorbic acid levels ranged from 0.312 mg/100 g fresh weight in Gastrothylax crumenifer to 5.070 mg/100 g fresh weight in Fasciola indica. Low levels of ascorbic acid were detected in the rumen parasites and in Isoparorchis hypselobagri. In contrast the liver parasites were found to have relatively high ascorbic acid levels.

Ascorbic acid levels in the proglottides of four species of cestode parasites of mammals and birds in relation to their sexual maturity

“…Vitamin C has been reported in many parasites e.g. Fasciola hepatica, Paramphistomum cervi, Ascaridia galli, Taenia saginata, Hymenolepis diminuta (HOLZ, 1961), Gastrothylax crumenifer, Cotylophoron cotylophorum, Paramphistomum orthocoelium, Gigantocotyle explanatum, Fasciola indica, Fasciolopsis buski, and Isoparorchis hypselobagri (TANDON & MISRA, 1980), but very little information is available on the physiological effects of maturity and growth on ascorbic acid levels. The present study was aimed to determine the ascorbic acid levels in relation to maturity and growth of cestode parasites of birds and mammals.…”