PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MONOSPECIFIC ADULT WORM INFECTIONSOF STRONGYLUS-VULGARIS AND STRONGLYUS-EDENTATUS IN PONIES

Since 1978, 20 surgical implantations of either Strongylus vulgaris or Strongylus edentatus have been performed in our laboratory for the pu rpose of obtaining single species cultures of these parasites. Followi ng surgical implantation peak EPG values of 13-327 (S. vulgaris) and 3 63-1284 (S. edentatus) generally occurred during the first 3 weeks pos t-implantation. Duration of infections was as long as 5 years. Success ful outcome of such surgeries appears to be related to the total numbe r of parasites used (greater-than-or-equal-to 38) and the ratio of fem ale to male worms implanted (1:1 or 2:1).