THE EFFECTS OF ECHINOSTOMA-TRIVOLVIS INFECTION ON THE FERTILITY AND FECUNDITY OF GOLDEN-HAMSTERS (MESOCRICETUS-AURATUS) AND ON THE INFECTIVITY OF THEIR PROGENY

The effects of Echinostoma trivolvis infection on fertility and fecund ity in the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) was studied. The infe ctivity in the progeny from infected mothers was evaluated. The averag e litter size for infected hamsters was 8.4 +/- 2.7 compared with 9.4 +/- 4.0 (P > 0.05) from uninfected hamsters. Neonates from infected mo thers showed decreased infectivity at ages 6, 7, and 8 wk postinfectio n. Neonates from uninfected mothers showed a greater infectivity when compared with animals born from infected mothers. The calculated perce ntage of resistance at 6, 7, and 8 wk of age was 48.9%, 69.3%, and 71. 5%, respectively. Spleens from infected mothers showed a depletion of white pulp. The adrenal cortex fi om infected mothers was widened and composed predominately of lipid-poor reticularis-type cells.