| Abstract: | Various influences of the host altered the establishment and reproduction of mouse-adapted Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Establishment and egg production were greater in mature male than in female mice. Worm fecundity increased similarly in both sexes of mice prior to 41 days of host age. Male mice at 62 days of age or older harbored more N. brasiliensis than did females, but the number of nematodes was similar in younger hosts of both sexes. Crowding of male mice significantly increased the establishment of helminths, but not the production of eggs by N. brasiliensis. Pregnancy of the host significantly increased both establishment of and reproduction by N. brasiliensis. Ligation of the bile duct of the mouse reduced both establishment and fecundity of the nematode after subcutaneous or surgical infection with larvae and adults, respectively. |
