Histochemical and thin-layer chromatographic analyses of neutral lipids in various host sites infected with Leucochloridiomorpha constantiae (Trematoda).

Histochemical and thin-layer chromatographic (TLC) analyses were used to study the effects of trematode parasitism by Leucochloridiomorpha constantiae on sites occupied by this fluke. Oil Red O staining showed that the epithelium in infected sites, i.e., bursa of Fabricius of the domestic chicken, chorionic ectoderm of the chick embryo, and uterus of Campeloma decisum snails, was positive for neutral lipids. TLC showed that infection in the bursa caused an increase in free fatty acids and triglycerides in that organ; infection of the chick chorioallantois caused a decrease in free sterols and sterol esters in the membrane; the uterus of infected snails showed elevated free sterols.