Habitat and reproductive behavior of Trichinella spiralis.

The normal niche of Trichinella spiralis adults was found to be in the epithelial layer of the mucosa of the small intestine of its host. Most worms were found in the epithelium at the base of the villi and in the glandular crypts. Copulation and insemination occurred between 30 and 32 hr postinfection, all although these acts were never observed, it was concluded that copulation and insemination took place in the epithelial layer of the mucosa. A majority of the adults were found to be completely embedded in the epithelium during the deposition of the motile larvae. Motile larvae were deposited in this location and from there migrated through the stroma to venules and lymphatic vessels. Male T. spiralis were found to be capable of inseminating at least 4 females.