The effects of larval age and cold storage on the ecdysis of infective Haemonchus contortus cayugensis larvae

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Abstract
Infective Haemonchus contortus cayugensis larvae were harvested from faecal cultures, cleaned and stored at 4°C. By means of small sample runs, exsheathment rates were determined for batches of clean larvae prior to and during storage. The larvae were stimulated to exsheath at 40°C in 0·02 m-Na2B4O7. 10H2O into which a gas mixture of 40% CO2–60% N2 was bubbled. A 20 and 60 min exsheathing time produced some and no decrease in exsheathment rates respectively for freshly cleaned unstored larvae and larvae stored 1–12 weeks. In all instances there was a reduction in the exsheathment rate 24 h after the larvae were placed in cold storage. This was considered a result of a cold shock from which the larvae did not recover until after the fourth day.