Contribution to the knowledge of aerobic processes in Taenia crassiceps larvae (Zeder, 1800)

Respiration of homogenates and isolated mitochondria of T. crassiceps larvae was measured. Respiration (about 70%) could be inhibited by cyanide, indicating that an important part is played by classical respiratory chain. When succinate was used as substrate, relatively low respiratory rates were measured, mitochondria showing higher affinity to NADH. Above a half of respiratory rate remained unchanged even at very low oxygen concentrations. Fumarate exhibited inhibitory activity on respiration of T. crassiceps mitochondria. Respiration in which NADH was used as substrate was twice as much more sensitive to inhibition by fumarate than respiration stimulated by succinate.