CARBOHYDRATE PROFILE IN RELATION TO GROWTH AND DIFFERENTIATION OF PROGLOTTIDS IN AVITELLINA LAHOREA (WOODLAND, 1927), AN ANOPLOCEPHALID CESTODE

The protein bonds aslee showed a gradual increase from anterior to posterior direction. The lactic acid concentration was found to be lower in metabolically active regions viz. immature and mature proglottids. The gravid segments revealed significantly higher value as compared to the previous regions. The pyruvic acid level was lower in the metabolically active anterior region (immature) than the posterior regions. Host serum contained less amount of pentoses, hexoses, total carbohydrates free and bound sugar and glycogen compared to the different proglottid regions of the parasite. The serum lactic acid level was higher compared to the different proglottid regions of the parasite. The serum pyruvic acid level was similar to mature region and slightly lower than gravid region. The gradient of various sugar metabolites suggests that the active transport mechanism may be very efficiently operating on the part of the parasite especially in the immature and mature proglottid regions. The various energy metabolites and compounds remained in a state of flux and the serum represented the gateway for influx and efflux of the above in the host parasite