Growth and Feeding of Echinostoma revolutum on the Chick Chorioallantois and in the Domestic Chick

Abstract

Chemically excysted metacercariae of Echinostoma revolutum cultivated on the chick chorioallantois grew slowly until day 5, more rapidly between 5 and 7 days, and slowly between 7 and 10 days. Worms did not become ovigerous in this site by 12 days, at which time studies were terminated. In contrast, chemically excysted metacercariae reared in the domestic chick were ovigerous by day 9, at which time their mean body area was about 4 times greater than the largest chorioallantoic worms. Histochemical studies, solubility tests for hematin, and X-ray microanalysis of cecal contents showed that chorioallantoic-worms fed on blood from the vascular membrane, whereas chick-worms fed on host intestinal mucosa.