Element composition and biochemical components of Dirofilaria immitis

Element composition of whole canine heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) was de termined using inductively coupled argon plasma emission spectroscopy. The elements evaluated included Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Al, B, Ba, Cu, Fe, Mn, Sr, Zn , As, and Ph. The only significant sex difference was calcium concentration which was higher in females. Amino acid analyses of body fluid revealed pr esence of nine essential and eight non-essential amino acids. Concentration s for male and female heartworms were not significantly different. The spec trum of amino acids was similar to that previously reported for canine plas ma. Neurotransmitters or their metabolites detected in whole male and femal e heart-worms using HPLC with electrochemical detector were epinephrine, di hydroxyphenylacetic acid, dopamine, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid. Those n ot detected were norepinephrine, homovanillic acid, and 5-hydroxytrypramine . (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.