title: Ascaris suum: continuous perfusion of the pseudocoelom and nutrient absorption.
abstract: A double-cannulation apparatus was constructed for continuous perfusion of the pseudocoelom of adult Ascaris suum while maintaining the intact parasite in a controlled incubation chamber. Peristaltic pumps maintained a constant flow rate of artificial perienteric fluid through the incubation chamber (1 ml/min) and through the parasite (100 microliters/min). Based on protein determinations, perienteric fluid was removed from the pseudocoelom within 35 min of initiation of perfusion (3.5 ml). A nonabsorbable dye, Blue Dextran, was detected first in the perfusate 4 min (400 microliters) after initiation of infusion into the pseudocoelom, and was maintained at a constant concentration in the perfusate by 8 min after initiation of dye infusion. Removal of the dye from the pseudocoelom was accomplished within 8 min (800 microliters) after the cessation of dye infusion. Occlusion of the digestive tract had no effect (P less than 0.05) on the short-term (3 hr) absorption of 3H-labeled cholesterol, [14C]-3-o-methylglucose or [14C]glucose from the incubation medium into the perienteric cavity. Concentrations of isotopes in the pseudocoelom reached steady-state levels within 60 min of the initiation of incubation, but remained low (greater than 0.5%) when compared to medium concentration. Similarly, the time course of the accumulation of [14C]glucose into individual tissue components did not differ in intact worms with or without patent intestinal tracts. Thus, the cuticular/muscle tissue largely appears to be the primary route of absorption of cholesterol and glucose in adult A. suum.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
mesh_terms: D019325:3-O-Methylglucose; D000042:Absorption; D000818:Animals; D001200:Ascaris / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism*; D003911:Dextrans; D005260:Female; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000378:metabolism; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D007700:Kinetics; D008757:Methylglucosides / Q000378:metabolism*; D008759:Methylglycosides / Q000378:metabolism*; D009132:Muscles / Q000378:metabolism; D010477:Perfusion
chemical_list: D003911:Dextrans; D008757:Methylglucosides; D008759:Methylglycosides; D019325:3-O-Methylglucose; C017080:blue dextran; D002784:Cholesterol; D005947:Glucose