title: Changes in the reproductive biology of Biomphalaria glabrata experimentally infected with the nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis.
abstract: This study showed for the first time changes in the reproductive biology of Biomphalaria glabrata experimentally infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis. The values of all the parameters analyzed (total number of eggs, number of egg masses, number of eggs/mass, number of eggs/snail, percentage of viable eggs and galactogen content in albumen gland) changed with progressive infection. The results indicate the occurrence of partial parasitic castration of B. glabrata by A. cantonensis larvae, probably in response to the depletion of energy reserves, with no injuries to the gonadal tissues.
authors.affiliation: Departmento de Ciências Fisiológicas, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vinícius Menezes
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Tunholi-Alves
authors.forename: Victor Menezes
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Tunholi
authors.forename: Danilo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lustrino
authors.forename: Ludimila Santos
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Amaral
authors.forename: Silvana Carvalho
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Thiengo
authors.forename: Jairo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
mesh_terms: D017185:Angiostrongylus cantonensis / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001700:Biomphalaria / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000502:physiology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005685:Galactans / Q000378:metabolism; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods*; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D005685:Galactans; C007812:galactogen