The uptake of radio-active glucose in vivo and in vitro by the metacercaria of Diplostomum phoxini (Faust) and its conversion to glycogen.

Abstract

The metacercaria of Diplostomum phoxini (Faust) in the brain of the minnow Phoxinus phoxinus (L.) takes up nutrients from the surrounding tissues. Suspension of metacercariae in 2 % ferritin showed that they are not capable of taking up particulate material into the epidermis. Histochemical tests and biochemical estimations showed the presence of glycogen in the metacercaria. Experiments utilizing autoradiography and liquid scintillation counting methods indicated that radio-active glucose is taken up by the epidermis and gastrodermis of the metacercaria in vivo and in vitro. Phosphatase activity may be associated with the absorption. Of the absorbed glucose 6.5 % per metacercaria was converted to glycogen in 3 h in vitro.