[The presence of antioxidative defense enzymes in the ascarid Ascaris lumbricoides].

Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione have been discovered in muscles of the ringworm A. lumbricoides. Superoxide dismutase activity was also revealed in eggs and larvae. Using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electrofocusing, it was shown that this enzyme exists in ringworm muscles in multiple molecular forms. Oxygen poisoning of the ringworm and aerobic incubation of muscle homogenates in the presence of Fe+2 do not result in accumulation of malonyldialdehyde. Biochemical defence mechanisms are discussed against oxygen poisoning of the organisms which live under the conditions of reduced and changing pO2.