Fasciola hepatica: plasma ascorbic acid, plasma iron and iron-binding capacity in experimentally infected sheep.

Six sheep were infected with about 520 Fasciola hepatica metacercariae. Plasma ascorbic acid decreased after infection attaining minimum values by week 10 and subsequently increased. Plasma iron concentrations were elevated during the first 6 weeks of exposure and then decreased till week 10; the levels approached pre-infection values at weeks 11-13 and again dropped. The iron-binding capacity rose during infection especially between weeks 13 and 19.