Respiration during wound regeneration and healing in the planarian worm Dendrocoelum lacteum.

Abstract

The intensity of respiration of the body fragments of the planarian after its division anteriorly and posteriorly to the pharynx was studied. After division anteriorly to the pharynx regeneration takes place. During regeneration of the anterior fragment respiration increases in the first day after the operation and at the differentiation stage. During regeneration of the posterior fragments the oxygen consumption is unchanged. Healing of the wound after division of the planarian posteriorly to the pharynx is accompanied by intensification of respiration during the first two days after the operation. Comparison of regeneration and healing of the wound in fragments of equal weight shows that in the initial stages the intensity of respiration was the same. A significant difference is found at the stage of differentiation of the regenerating worm, when the regenerating fragments have a higher intensity of respiration than fragments unable to regenerate.