The in vitro cultivation of <i>Hymenolepis microstoma</i> from cysticercoid to egg-producing adult

Abstract

Cysticercoids of Hymenolepis microstoma have been cultured in vitro to egg-producing adults in 16 days using Eagle's medium with horse serum plus sheep or hamster liver extract, and ox bile. Bile was essential for egg production but not for general body growth. Worms became gravid when cultured under 0, 5, and 10% oxygen. However, growth and development was greatly inhibited when higher concentrations of oxygen were used.