The effects of bile on the locomotory cycle of Fasciola hepatica

The rate of production of locomotory cycles in juvenile Fasciola hepatica was significantly decreased following treatment with conjugated chenodeoxycholic acids and significantly increased following treatment with dehydrocholic acid or whole bovine bile. Deoxycholic acid caused death and lysis of the parasites in less than 30 min. These results suggest that bile components act as a specific stimulus for a fixed action pattern (the locomotory cycle) in this parasite.