In vitro Cultivation of Dipetalonema viteae Third-Stage Larvae: Effect of the Gas Phase

Abstract
The effect of the gas phase on the in vitro growth and development of D. viteae (Nematoda: Filarioidea) 3rd-stage larvae obtained from the tick vector and 3 day infections of jirds was examined. Measurements of the O2 (pO2) and CO2 (pCO2) tensions and the pH in the medium were made for each gas phase. In cultures gassed with 5% CO2 in N the pO2 was between 32-50 mm Hg, the pCO2 ranged from 25-40 mm Hg and the pH was between 7.2-7.4. This gas phase resulted in the best growth and development of 3rd-stage larvae to the 4th-stage. Survival and development of larvae were decreased in cultures with O2 tensions < 20 mm Hg and > 50 mm Hg.