The use of a computer program to analyze growth of Leucochloridium variae McIntosh, 1932 (Trematoda) in the domestic chick

A computer program was designed to facilitate growth analysis of Leucochloridium variae. Infectivity declined rapidly beyond 2 weeks in chicks exposed cloacally with chemically excysted metacercariae. Significantly more worms developed in the cloaca, but those in the bursa of Fabricius appeared more robust. A rapid growth rate in relative body- and gonadal-area was observed in 1- to 6-day-old bursal and cloacal flukes. The ratio of total gonadal- to body-area suggested that bursal worms matured and aged earlier than those in the cloaca. The width ratio of oral- to ventral-sucker and the ratio of vitelline- to body-length in mature worms remained constant in bursal and cloacal flukes.