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

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.