The Biochemical Vcharacterization of a Serologically Active Lipid Fraction of the Nematode Haemonchus Contortus

Abstract

Protein, polysaccharide, and lipid fractions were prepared from Haemonchus contortus. The lipid fraction appeared to be the only one essentially concerned in reactions with natural antisera from sheep, and further work was carried out to determine the nature of the serologically active lipid. It was found to be hydrophilic, acidic, susceptible to oxidation, free from protein and polysaccharide, and to have a molecular weight greater than 1000. Its biochemical significance, role in the activity of the boiled antigen, and possible relation to other lipoidal antigens are discussed.