Major phospholipids and phosphatidylcholine synthesis in adult Schistosoma mansoni.

The major phospholipids present in the phospholipid extract of Schistosoma Mansoni were phosphatidylcholine (28%), phosphatidylethanolamine 925%), phosphatidylserine (15%) and phosphatidylglycerol (8%). The synthesis of phosphatidylcholine in S. mansoni adults occurred by the choline to phosphatidylcholine of worm slices appeared linear over time with no demonstrable sex differences in choline incorporation. A slight difference in the incorporation of CDPcholine by separate sexes was evident. Methylation phosphatidylethanolamine to phosphatidylcholine could not be demonstrated.