Disruption of spermatogenesis in Fasciola hepatica by some anthelmintics.

Eight-weeks old F. hepatica were recovered from rabbits and rats that had been treated with known fasciolicides and anthelmintics between 4 and 40 h previously. Examination of the surviving flukes showed that spermatogenesis was significantly disrupted by most of the fasciolicides but by none of the other anthelmintics. It is suggested that disruption of spermatogenesis is particularly associated with compounds showing activity against mature F. hepatica.