Histochemical and thin layer chromatographic analyses of neutral lipids in metracercarial and adult Cotylurus sp. (Trematoda: Strigeidae).

Histochemical and thin layer chromatographic studies were made on neutral lipids of Cotylurus sp. (Trematoda) metacercariae obtained from Physa heterostropha snails and from adults grown in the upper ileum of the domestic chick. Oil Red O staining demonstrated neutral lipids in the intestinal lumina, eggs and vitellaria of adults, and the excretory system of metarcercariae. As determined by TLC, excysted metacercariae incubated in a non-nutrient salt solution excreted free fatty acids, sterols, and sterol esters into the medium. TLC analysis detected free sterols, free fatty acids and sterol esters in metacercariae and adullts, and triglycerides detected in adults were not found in metacercariae.