ABSTRACTS 403
No ill effects attributable to the toxic action of the drug were noticed, except the
appearance of diarrhoea in one of Roberts' six-tooth wethers, which was emaciated and
received a dose of 20.5 gm. (at the rate of 0.5 gm. per lb. body-weight). [R. N. M.]
Studies on the trichomonad, parasitic in the reproductive organs of cattle.
I. On the nomenclature and morphology. II. Biological characters. III.
Serological study with special reference to agglomeration—and agglutination-
phenomena. IV. Vital staining. V. On the oxidation—and reduction—ability.
T. MORISATA (1939). Jap. J. Exp. Med. 17, 1.
I
T HE author studied the morphology of this parasitic trichomonad employing two
different strains in pure cultures. The organisms were fixed with Schaudinn's fluid
and osmic vapour, and stained with Giemsa and Heidenhain's iron-haematoxylin methods.
The size of the body is 10.2-18.0µ × 5.6-12.0µ (average, 16.5µ×8.0).
The
blepharoplast consists of four granules, of which three are anterior in position and one
posterior. The undulating membrane is described as having originated from the latter.
The flagella are three in number but in an exceptional case four were seen. Cyst forma-
tion was not encountered in the culture medium. Out of the six different specific names
given to this organism the author provisionally calls it as Trichomonas foetus Hopfen¬
gartner and Ernst (1924).
II
Various culture media were tried. Five per cent glucose neutral broth and whole
egg agar slant were found to be suitable. The optimum hydrogenion concentration was
noted to range between 6.6 to 7.8.
Vitamin B and C and the pancreatic hormone appeared to stimulate the growth of
the parasite in cultures. Vitamin A and the thyroid hormone were found to be injurious
but sex hormones exerted a favourable influence on the multiplication of the parasite.
Water-extracted cell components of the parasite introduced into the culture medium in
suitable quantities favoured the growth of the parasite, but excessive quantities produced
a moderate disturbance in its development. Futamura's (1935) observation that the
organism was a facultative anaerobe has been confirmed by the author.
Attempts to produce abortion in pregnant rabbits by intravenous inoculation of
the culture fluid passed through a Chamberland L 3 filter gave negative results, and thus
the existence of a parasitic exotoxin in the culture medium could not be established.
Experiments were made on the effect of various temperatures on the parasite. The
period for which the trichomonads remained alive was always longer than the period
during which they were cultivable irrespective of the temperature of incubation. The
resistance of the parasite to drying was found to be nil.
The phenomenon of non-serological agglomeration was observed by the author.
This was found to be closely dependant on the time of exposure to the atmosphere and
its varying temperature. The author believes that the agglomeration—phenomenon as
a serological reaction is also exhibited by this parasite.
III
The author studied the immunological reactions of two pure strains of Trichomonas
foetus. He observes that ' the titre of agglomeratinin is always higher than that of
agglutinin and the value for both antibodies is the same in cases of increase or decrease '.
An exposure to a temperature of 75°C destroyed the antibodies. In rabbits immunized
with the heated antigen the production of antibodies was found to decrease correspond-
ingly to the degree of heat to which they were subjected. The separation of the agglu-
tinin from agglomeratinin was found to be difficult.
The abnormal secretion of a mucus fluid was seen on the body surface of the parasite,
especially around the axostyle. The author believes this to be an important factor in
inducing agglomeration.