[About a substance with antithrombinic activity, found in the latero-oesophageal glands of Meinertia oestroides (Risso, 1826) (Isopoda, Flabellifera, Cymothoidae; parasite of fishes) (author's transl)].

An anticlotting factor was found recently in the cephalothoracic latero-oesophageal glands (G.L.O.) of Cymothoid Isopods (blood-sucking fishparasites). This substance is efficient on the blood of hosts such as Boops boops (L.), and also on the human plasma. The way of action and the chemical kind of this factor were investigated: Plasmatic coagulation-tests (Howell, Quick, Cephalin-kaolin, Stypven, Stypven-cephalin, Thrombin and Thrombin coagulase times) were realized on citrated plasmas of Boops and man; enzymatic activities of latero-esophageal glands and hepatopancreas of Meinertia oestroides (Risso, 1826) were also studied. Our results show that the anticlotting action of G.L.O. extracts proceeds from an anti-thrombinic factor, certainly carbohydrate-like as heparin.