DEVELOPMENTAL PHYSIOLOGY OF CESTODES .4. IN VITRO DEVELOPMENT OF HYMENOLEPIS DIMINUTA IN PRESENCE AND ABSENCE OF OXYGEN

After 6 days postinfection in vivo, Hymenolepis diminuta was cultured in vitro for 12 days under gas phases containing 0, 1, 5, and 20% oxygen. Worms from all groups increased significantly in mass and produced substantial numbers of proglottids and viable progeny. Some morphological and reproductive abnormalities were observed. Total carbohydrate concentration of worms cultured in vitro approximated normal, but lipid concentration was somewhat less than normal in in vivo grown worms. No effect of oxygen presence or concentration was detected. © 1969.