Acetylcholinesterase secretion by parasitic nematodes—III. Oesophagostomum spp

• Published in: International journal for parasitology Vol. 3; no. 5; pp. 609,IN7,615 - 614,IN10,618
• Main Authors: Bremner, K.C., Ogilvie, Bridget M., Keith, R.K., Berrie, D.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 1973
• Subjects: acetylcholinesterase; anti-acetylcholinesterase antibody; cattle; esterase parasitic nematodes; Oesophagostomum radiatum; Oesophagostomum venulosum; acetylcholinesterase; esterase parasitic nematodes; anti-acetylcholinesterase antibody; Oesophagostomum venulosum; Oesophagostomum radiatum
• ISSN: 0020-7519; 1879-0135
• DOI: 10.1016/0020-7519(73)90085-4

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in Oesophagostomum radiatum increased markedly during the fourth and early fifth stages of parasitic development and thereafter remained relatively constant in the mature parasites. Fourth stage Oe. radiatum maintained in vitro in a saline medium released AChE steadily for 4 h. Whereas the excretory glands of Oe. radiatum appeared to be the major site of AChE secretion, the highest concentration of the enzyme in Oe. venulosum was found in the cephalic tissues. Antibodies to Oe. radiatum AChE appeared in the serum of calves three weeks after primary infection with the parasite and were also found in the serum of neonatal calves and in the colostrum of their dams. Several soluble non-specific esterases were present in homogenates of adult Oe. radiatum and Oe. venulosum. In Oe. radiatum these esterases occurred both in gut tissue and excretory glands, and were present in secretions released in vitro by fourth-stage larvae. However, no antibodies against the esterases were detected in host serum.