title: Toxicity of cadmium and zinc to miracidia of Schistosoma mansoni.
abstract: The specific objectives of this study were to elucidate metal toxicity to hatching, survival and avoidance behaviour of Schistosoma mansoni miracidia. The toxicity of cadmium, zinc, and cadmium/zinc mixtures at concentrations ranging from 10000 to 10 microg/l was investigated. Metal mixture toxicity investigation was undertaken with equal concentrations of the metals. The hatching of miracidia from eggs was inhibited by concentrations of 1000-10000 microg/l of single metals. Metal mixtures had no effect on egg hatching. Survival of miracidia was reduced by increasing metal concentration except at concentrations of 10 microg/l for single metal toxicity where survival was increased above the control. Miracidia demonstrated a rapid avoidance behaviour when briefly exposed to heavy metals. The mechanisms of metal toxicity to miracidia are briefly discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, Surrey, UK. n.morley@rhbnc.ac.uk
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Morley
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crane
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D002104:Cadmium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D051379:Mice; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000187:drug effects*; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D002104:Cadmium; D015032:Zinc