Influence of electrolytes and non-electrolytes on growth and differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi

The influence of electrolytes and non-electrolytes, especially NaCl and sorbitol, on the metacyclogenesis and growth of Trypanosoma cruzi has been studied. The addition of 50 or 100 mEq/l NaCl to the culture media significantly increased the development of metacyclic forms. Other electrolytes and non-electrolytes had no effect on epimastigote-metacyclic differentiation. The growth rate was never modified to any extent. The influence of sodium concentration, osmotic pressure, among other factors, are discussed. Electrophoresis showed proteins bands which could be related either to the adaptation of T. cruzi to the new culture media or to the initiation of differentiation processes.