Growth and respiration throughout the life-cycle ofNematospiroides dubiusBaylis (1926) (Nematoda: Heligmosomidae): the parasitic stages

Abstract

The growth of male and female parasitic stages of Nematospiroides dubius from male and female ASH/CS1 mice was measured in terms of dry weight. No sex-linked resistance of mice to infection with N. dubius was apparent, as growth was the same in both sexes of host. The growth rate did not alter when moulting occurred.All parasitic stages of N. dubius consumed oxygen in vitro and oxygen was also shown to be necessary for motility and survival.The relationship between body size and metabolic rate was established for male and female parasitic N. dubius and the b values indicated that aerobic metabolism is of functional importance to this species.The size/metabolism relationship for the whole life-cycle was established.