The content of carbohydrates in larval stages of Anisakis simplex (Nematoda, Anisakidae)

Summary The content of carbohydrates in L₃ and L₄ larvae of Anisakis simplex (defined by Rokicki J.) was studied. Glycogen and trehalose were their major reserve sugars. The concentration of saccharides in L₄ larvae was 2–3-times higher than in L₃ larvae. The content of glycogen was 3.68 ± 1.24 mg/g tissue in L₃ larvae and 11.68 ± 1.21 mg/g tissue in L₄ larvae. Trehalose represented 16.17 % of soluble sugars in L₃ larvae and 43.04 % in L₄ larvae. The contents of maltose, higher polymers of glucose (1.5-times) and myoinositol (1.2-times) in L₄ were higher than in L₃ larvae. After starving the L₃ larvae of the parasite for 48 h at 4°C, the contents of trehalose increased 5-fold and that of glycogen by 20 %, while at 37°C the contents of glycogen was ca. 30 % higher and that of trehalose 40 % less than in larvae freshly isolated from the host (p < 0.01). The data obtained during starving the L₃ larvae of A. simplex may be a consequence the role of trehalose as protective compound at stress condition. We suggest that probably in higher temperatures it acts as first a source of energy, and it also might serve to restore the levels of glycogen.