The Growth and Duration of Sexual Maturation ofFasciola hepaticain Experimental Fascioliasis of the Sheep

Summary Two investigations were carried out on 34 experimentally infected sheep. In the first investigation we studied the terms of maturation of Fasciola hepatica depending upon the intensity of invasion and repeated infection. In the second experiment we studied the development of Fasciola hepatica on the background of strong damage of the liver caused by a very intensive invasion of fascioliasis. In was determined that the terms of maturation of Fasciola hepatica in the organism of the sheep are in direct relationship with the intensity of invasion: the greater the number of Fasciola hepatica parasitizing in the organism of the host, the longer is the process of their development till the stage of maturity, and the greater the dose of metacercariae Fasciola hepatica during lamb infection, the later the eggs start excreting. Besides, the earlier the eggs excrete, the slower the rest of the parasites reach the stage of maturity. Measurements of Fasciola hepatica are inversely proportional to the intensity of invasion. In case of reinvasion in the sheep the number of Fasciola hepatica established is almost the same as in case of a single-time infection, but they are smaller in their measurements. The majority of Fasciola hepatica migrate to the left of the liver, though invasion increasing and the age of helminths changing as well as in case of reinvasion, the number of Fasciola hepatica in the right part of the liver is increasing.