Effects of artemether on Schistosoma japonicum adult worms and ova

Three days after the intragastric gavage of artemether suspension 300 mg/kg/d*2, 95% of schistosomes shifted to the liver. The majority of the survived worms returned to the original habitat on d 11-17. When the oil preparation of artemether was injected sc 100 mg/kg/d*3, 100% worm shifted to liver on d 7, and 74% of worms still remained in liver on d 14. The majority of the worms returned to the portal-mesenteric vein 19-29 d after cessation of the medication. Marked damage of the worms,especially seveie interference in reproductive organs of female worms was seen. Ova were absent or degenerated, if any, in the uteri on d 3-5, while normal ova were detected again on d 11 after the gavage of artemether susoension. Oogram examination revealed that artemether exhibited no action on the ova.The hatching of the ova in liver was continually positive within 23 d after the medication.