Abstract
The uptake of glucose, sucrose, thymidine and adenosine by adult male and female worms of Dirofilaria immitis was investigated using scintillation counting techniques. No evidence of L-glucose, sucrose and thymidine uptake was obtained. In contrast, large amounts of D-glucose and adenosine were taken up by both male and female worms. No demonstrable dye was found in the gut lumen of worms incubated in medium containing 1% (w/v) trypan blue for six hours. By exposing different portions of D. immitis adults to radioactively-labelled medium containing D-glucose or adenosine, a transcuticular uptake of these nutrients by the worms was demonstrated.