Oxidative enzymes in the development of Fasciola hepatica L. III. The activities of oxidases and dehydrogenases in the sporocyst.

The object of the study was the investigation of the occurrence and distribution of some oxidative enzymes in the sporocyst of Fasciola hepatica L. The samples were examined for the presence of cytochrome oxidase, peroxidase, NADH and NADPH tetrazolium reductases, as well as succinate, isocitrate, malate, lactate, alpha-glycerophosphate, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, glucose-6-phosphate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, L-glutamate and alcohol dehydrogenases. All of them save cytochrome oxidase were found to occur in the sporocyst. The presence and localization of these enzymes were examined by histochemical methods in various stages of development of the sporocyst. These investigations permitted it to be established that glycolytic processes are the principal way of release of energy for all developmental groups of this larva. Moreover, the functions of the tricarboxyl acid and pentose-phosphate cycles were detected and found to play a less important part in processes of energy production in the sporocyst. In addition, the functioning and metabolism of each larval organ in various stages of its development were discussed in so far as was possible on the basis of the analysis of the above-mentioned oxidative enzymes.