Vol 27 No 2 December - The Indian Society for Parasitology

JPD : Vol. 27 (2), 2003
Distribution of trace metals in Avitellina Lahorea and Serum of Sheep
117
that the parasitic somatic tissue contained slightly efficiency of immune systems, sensory responses etc.
lesser selenium levels than did the host somatic tissues (Fujioka and Liberman, 1964 and Chowdhury and
(Riggs et al., 1987). But Sures et al. (1997) also Singh, 1989).
revealed the higher selenium deposition in the gravid
The results of the present study on different
proglottides than immature regions. The present result
electrolytes in A.lahorea, in relation to the
on the selenium content A.lahorea, in different
differentiation of segments imply that each and every
proglottides region is similar to that of B.
individual electrolyte shows significant variation
archeilognathi (Riggs et al., 1987), in the distribution
between the immature, mature and gravid proglottid
pattern, compared with the hosts. As it is well known
segments. The differential requirement of trace
that selenium plays a vital role in the sequestration of
elements is also made obvious. Hence the electrolytes/
free radicals and in the cellular antioxidant defense
trace elements are as important as any other metabolite
system, the concentration of selenium in the parasite
for the growth and development remains tenable.
may be affording a protective function to the parasite
against such metabolites in the host body. It is also of REFERENCES
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