ELECTROPHORETICAL AND HISTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SCHISTOSOMA-MANSONI PHENOL OXIDASES

The phenol oxidase system, which is thought to play a central role in eggshell formation, was analyzed by means of electrophoretic and histo chemical techniques, In contrast to current beliefs, our data show tha t males also express the phenol oxidase activity. The analysis of the electrophoretic pattern from males and females shows differences: adul t males present a major band and a faint band, migrating slightly belo w, Adult females express a more complex pattern composed of four bands , Histochemical studies revealed that female phenol oxidase is concent rated in the vitelline cells, is inhibited by DDC, and this inhibition is correlated with disruption of female egg production, The present s tudies, in agreement with other reports, reveal that female phenol oxi dase may be involved in sclerotization of the S. mansoni eggshell.