Distribution of cobalt, zinc, copper and iron in some zoonotic helminths Chowdhury N.* Department of Veterinary Parasitology, College of Veterinary Science, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana-141 004, India *Present address: MIG Flat No. 06, GF, Block ‘C’, Rishi Nagar, Ludhiana-141 001, India. Tel: +91–161-2305146; E-mail: drnchowdhury@yahoo.com
Abstract The distribution of four trace elements viz. cobalt, zinc, copper and iron in some helminths of zoonotic importance was determined by the use of an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results demonstrated that growing trematodes (medium and/or smaller forms) with active oogenesis and spermatogenesis contained distinctly more copper and iron in addition to cobalt and zinc than in older forms (large or very old adults) with empty uteri and larger testes. In cestodes, the smaller form of endogenous daughter (hydatid) cysts recovered from the monkey contained more zinc and iron than in medium and large forms of the endogenous cysts of the same host origin. The concentrations of these elements in the cysts wall of larger forms from the monkey when compared with that of buffalo host, both copper and iron concentrations along with cobalt and zinc were found in much higher concentrations in the cyst walls of the latter host than in large sized cyst walls from the monkey. In the mature proglottids of Dipylidium caninum, there was a higher concentration of both copper and iron. In nematodes, the male specimens contained slightly more cobalt but concentration of iron was very high, whereas, in the corresponding female species, there was a higher concentration of zinc. The eggs of the two nematodes, Toxocara canis and Ascaris lumbricoides, the concentrations of copper and iron were very high in addition to cobalt and zinc. The significance of the distribution of these elements has been discussed. Top Keywords Trace elements, Spectrophotometer analysis, Zoonotic helminths. Top |