Effect of Cold Shock on the Metabolism of Trichomonas Gallinae

The influence of cold (4°C)used to prepare cells for metabolic investigations was examined with Trichomonas gallinae in this study. Cells washed withcold diluent in a refrigerated centrifuge were found to be less stimulated in their gas production at 37°C when exposed to glucose ormaltose than cells washed at room temperature conditions. Such cold-prepared cells had higher initial glycogen contents after washing, faster endogenous glycogen degradation rates when incubated at 37 °C, but lower glycogen synthesis in the presence of glucose or maltose when compared to cells not prepared in the cold. However, uptake of glucose and maltose at 37 °C was not affected by pretreatment with cold. Washing with cold also reduced the total number of recoverable cells by an average of 20%. Cold washing of T. gallinae in three diluents (modified Ringers, Krebs Ringer phosphate, and 2% Trypticase) increased the recovery or lag time in STS medium when compared to use of the three washing diluents at room temperature.