The uptake, localization and transfer of [4-14C]cholesterol in Schistosoma mansoni males and females maintained in vitro.

Schistosoma mansoni male and female adults incorporated [4-14C]cholesterol in vitro. Males incorporated about three times more cholesterol than females. The major sites of cholesterol deposition in males were the tegument and parenchyma. The tegument and vitelline glands were the primary sites of cholesterol accumulation in females. In males, dorsal tegument showed greater cholesterol uptake than ventral tegument. Radiolabelled males and females transferred cholesterol to unlabelled members of the opposite sex.