Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 April 2009
The intrategumental pH in adult male Schistosoma mansoni as measured with pH-sensitive microelectrodes is between 7.0 and 7.2, a value about one pH unit more alkaline than expected for equilibrium. This value is maintained for at least 4 h after isolation in media buffered with Hepes or CO2/ with or without serum present. CCCP (1 μM) and FCCP (10 μM) cause rapid acidification. DNP (1 mM) and Na-orthovanadate (1 mM) acidify but also cause significant depolarization of the tegument. NH (20 mM) depolarizes and acidifies the tegument with no evidence of transient alkalinization. High K+ (25 mM) accelerates the acidification. Removal of the NH+4 causes a large transient further acidification with recovery requiring as long as 40 min. High K+ (25 mM) delays the early stage of the recovery. Presence of CO2/HCO in the incubation medium does not accelerate the recovery rate nor does SITS (100 μM) inhibit the recovery. Intrategumental Na+ is elevated after an acid load and amiloride (3 mM) as well as low Na+ medium interfere with recovery from the acid load indicating that a Na+–H+ exchanger may be present in the tegumental membrane.