TRICHINELLA PSEUDOSPIRALIS - X-RAY-ANALYSIS OF THE INFECTED MUSCLE-CELLS AND THE MUSCLE LARVA COMPARTMENTS AFTER EXPONENTIAL-GROWTH OF THE LARVA IN-SITU

The distribution of nutrients such as Na, Cl, K, P, S, and Ca was inve stigated by energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDXA) on bulk-froze n mouse muscles infected with Trichinella pseudospiralis. In an attemp t to gain information as to whether muscle larvae would modify the ele ment status within muscles of their host. Significant increases in pho sphorus concentrations within nurse cells and internal cells of the la rva, e.g., the somatic muscle cells and the stichocytes, were shown. T his could reflect changes in the energy metabolism and/or in the turno ver of nucleic acids of the nurse cell. High phosphorus concentrations within the internal larva cells corresponded to high levels of expres sion of thymidylate synthase shown elsewhere in both T. pseudospiralis and T. spiralis muscle larvae, most likely reflecting more intensive DNA replication. Furthermore, the Na+-concentration gradient between t he nurse cell and neighboring host muscle cells indicated the plasma m embrane as a diffusion barrier for Na+. Moreover, the cuticle seemed t o maintain the Cl--concentration gradient between the nurse cell and t he internal cells of the larva. Nevertheless, the mechanisms involved in the transport of both ions, the collagen cuticle appeared, strong p ermeability that serves the transcuticular transport maintaining the C l--concentration gradient.