Lipids in the broodsac of Leucochloridium variae (Digenea, Leucochloridiidae) and its snail host Succinea ovalis

Int J Parasitol. 1993 Feb;23(1):129-31. doi: 10.1016/0020-7519(93)90105-8.

Abstract

Thin-layer chromatographic analysis was used to examine lipophilic pigments and neutral lipids in the broodsac of Leucochloridium variae and in the tissues of its snail host, Succinea ovalis. Beta-carotene and lutein were not detected in either the parasite or the host on a C-18 reversed phase layer developed in a solvent system of petroleum ether-acetonitrile-methanol (2:4:4). This chromatographic system was able to detect 10 ng of a beta-carotene standard and 100 ng of a lutein standard. The Mangold solvent system on a silica gel plate showed the presence of triacylglycerols, free sterols, and sterol esters as the major neutral lipids in both snail and parasite tissues. As seen in a previous sporocyst-snail relationship, the qualitative neutral lipid profiles of both host and parasite are similar.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Lipids / analysis*
  • Pigments, Biological / analysis
  • Reproduction
  • Snails / chemistry*
  • Snails / parasitology*
  • Trematoda / chemistry*

Substances

  • Lipids
  • Pigments, Biological