The life cycle in vitro of Hymenolepis microstoma (Cestoda).

The cestode Hymenolepis microstoma was grown axenically from oncosphere to infective cysticercoid. Reducing agents were not essential for development and produced structural abnormalities in the organisms. Cysticercoids grown in vitro were excysted, placed in culture, and developed into adults containing gravid segments, thus completing the life cycle in vitro.