Ascorbic acid levels in the proglottides of cestode parasite Avitellina lahorea (Woodland, 1972) and host serum (sheep) in relation to their sexual maturity.

ABSTRACT

The ascorbic acid level was highest in immature proglottides and lowest in gravid proglottides of Avitellina lahorea, the gut parasite of sheep. The ascorbic acid content in all the regions of the parasite viz., immature, mature and gravid taken together remained higher to the value of the host serum. The above gradient between the parasite and the host serum interface suggested its active uptake on the part of the parasite.