Schistosoma mansoni: quantitative aspects of the fertility and survival of worms obtained from irradiated cercariae (3 Krad), in mice

Abstract

The effect of gamma irradiation on the fertility of female mice, as well as the survival of worms in their portal system, have been observed in four groups of outbred albino mice (Mus musculus), experimentally infected with ca 450 cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni (LE and SJ strains), by transcutaneous route. The cercariae used were a) non-irradiated (control groups), and b) irradiated with 3 Krad of gamma irradiation (Co-60). From the 33rd day on, some estability in the population of surviving worm could be observed. This population remained constant till the end of the observation period (90th day), notedly in relation to the LE strain. Thus, it was concluded that gamma irradiation (at the dose of 3 Krad) is able to hinder the worm egg production in 98.1% of the infected mice. Further, it was observed that the few detected eggs were dead. Females were found to be more resistant to irradiation. The irradiation effect on the mortality of male worms was statistically significant scarcely from the 61st day on. The long period of permanence of the sterile adult irradiated worms in the portal system of mice and their probable involvement in the development of immunoprotection (the so-called concomitant immunity, without the immunopathological involvements for the host) are here discussed.