Histochemical localization of Malate Dehydrogenase activity in Schistosoma spindale

Malate Dehydrogenase is one of the key enzymes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. It oxidizes l-Malate into oxalo-acetate. It is found in all eukaryotic cells. It has been found that Malate dehydrogenase plays an important role in the metabolism of the trematodes, The significance of the MDH in the active sustenance of the trematode cannot be denied. As the parasite, Schistosoma spindale resides in the blood of the host, Bubabus bubalis an anaerobic mechanism is found to be operative. MDH is found to have an alternative pathway adapted by the parasite in response to the parasitic adaptations. S.spindale extracts the nutrition available in the blood to lead a parasitic life. The suckers help the parasite in nutrition as well as movement. The present investigation, an attempt to histochemically localize malate dehydrogenase enzyme in the sections of S.spindale.