Studies on Hymenolepis microstoma in vitro. I. Effect of heme compounds on growth and reproduction.

The effect of various heme compounds on growth and maturation of Hymenolepis microstoma in vitro has been determined. At 4 days p.i., worms were collected and cultured in vitro for 6 days in a medium containing various concentrations of haemoglobin, hemin, and bilirubin. Addition of haemoglobin to a medium resulted in significant increases in length, wet weight, number of immature and mature proglottids as compared to the control medium. Supplements of hemin did not seem to affect worm length; however, they caused a significant weight increase, and the numbers of immature and mature proglottids were also more than those in control medium. Bilirubin supplements failed to show any effect on growth and maturation of H. microstoma, and the experimental and control worms were found similar in all respects. In the light of the success with haemoglobin and hemin as growth promoting substances, the role of blood ingredients was also considered. For strobilization and maturation of H. microstoma in vitro, the presence of some kind of heme protein seems essential.