In vivo and in vitro egg production by Nematospiroides dubius during primary and challenge infections in resistant and susceptible strains of mice

Experiments were conducted to examine adult worm burdens, fecal egg output, and in vitro fecundity of Nematospiroides dubius in resistant LAF1 and susceptible CBA mice 12, 15, 18, and 21 days following primary and challenge infections. A strong correlation was obtained on the number of eggs produced by worms cultured in vitro and the egg production as assessed by fecal egg count. Worm counts, fecal egg counts, and in vitro fecundity were similar on all days studied following a primary infection in both mouse strains. However, after challenge infection, LAF1 mice showed lower worm burdens, fecal egg output, and in vitro egg production when compared to CBA mice. Although the egg production of surviving female worms from immune LAF1 mice was decreased, it never fell below a threshold of 100 eggs/day. The reduced fecundity may be a manifestation of a general anti-worm response rather than responses directed specifically at worm reproduction.