Trypanosoma musculi: influence of uric acid on in vitro formation of metacyclic trypomastigotes.

Uric acid is the most important constituent in the urine of insects. Infective metacyclic forms of the stercorarian trypanosomes are produced in the rectum of their insect vector and are thus in contact with uric acid. Using a culture system which permitted the growth of the insect stages of Trypanosoma musculi, we studied the influence of uric acid on the metacyclogenesis of this parasite. When added to the culture, uric acid enhanced the production of metacyclic forms. Furthermore, it rendered these trypanosomes highly infective by the oral route. It is suggested that uric acid may play an important role on the metacyclogenesis of T. musculi.