Intestinal granules found in the parasitic nematodes Ancylostoma caninum, and Oesophagostomum radiatum

Abstract

Ancylostoma caninum, and Oesophagostomum radiatum. APPROVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE THESIS COMMITTEE:IY'avid T. Clark, Chair Richard PetersenThe parasitic nematodes Ancylostoma caninum and Oesophagostomum radiatum were collected and analyzed for intestinal inorganic granules. Three means of identification were utilized to determine the composition granules, including birefringence, x-ray diffraction and energy dispersive 2 spectrometric (EDS) analysis. Initial x-ray diffraction results of the two worms showed a calcium sulfide presence within the worms. Closer examination of the granules withinAncylostoma caninum however, utilizing EDS analysis revealed their composition to be zinc sulfide. These results concur with those of Rogers (1940) and Clark (1956) who found zinc sulfide granules in several species of Strongylus. The ZnS granules seem to be a result of a detoxification function that binds excess zinc and sulfhydryl groups present from the ingestion and breakdown of dietary blood meals.