RESUMO
The absorptive capacity of the intestine of dove infected by the cestode Cotugnia Polyacantha was studied by the in vivo perfusion technique. The two glucose concentrations 5 and 27 mM were used in the perfusion fluid. Glucose was added at the expense of Nacl to the total osmolarity 238 mOsmol./L. The perfusion fluid of 5 mM glucose: the percentage of reduction in the absorptive capacity in the infected intestine than normal was (at initial pH7) 82.8, 63.1, 68.4, 71.2 and 67.5 and (at initial pH6) 89.7, 59.0, 70.3, 59.9 and 62.6 in glucose, Na+, K+, Ca++ and Cl- respectively. The perfusion fluid of 27 mM glucose: the percentage of reduction in the absorptive capacity in the infected intestine than normal was (at initial pH6) 89.7, 59.0, 70.3, 59.9 and 62.6 in glucose, Na+, K+, Ca++ and Cl- respectively. The perfusion fluid of 27 mM glucose: the percentage of reduction in the absorptive capacity in the infected intestine than normal was (at initial pH7) 85.6, 65.6, 68.3, 71.1 and 66.9 (at initial pH6), 86.1, 62.4, 70.2, 66.4 and 68.8 in glucose, Na+, K+, Ca++ and Cl- respectively. The wet and dry weight of both tunica muscularis and mucosa were increased in the infected part of intestine than normal.