Some responses of Hymenolepis diminuta to orchidectomy of the host

[摘要] Beyond loss of the well-known secondary sexual characteristics, there are several responses to castration in the male mammal which indicate that the male sex hormone is at least indirectly a controlling factor in some of the body;;s basic metabolic processes. In the case of the albino rat infected with Hymenolepis diminuta, these effects in turn cause changes in the normal activities of this tapeworm (Addis, 1946; Beck, 1950), indicating the widespread effect of testosterone as well as the intimacy of the host-parasite relationship. The purpose of the present investigation is to analyze further the responses of the tapeworm to castration of the host, by means of some morphological, histological, and enzymatic studies.

[发布机构] Rice University