Proteinase Activity in the Intestine of Ruff Gymnocephalus cernuus (L.) (Pisces) Depending on the Sum Length of Cestodes Proteocephalus cernuae (Gmelin) Parasitizing the Gut

Abstract

It is revealed that the infection of ruff with cestodes Proteocephalus cernuae affects the activity of its intestinal proteolytic enzymes. The influence of cestodes on the activity of intestinal proteinases depends on the sum length of the worms occupying the gut. Proteinase activity decreases at a smaller total length of the worms and increases at larger total length, with serine proteinases being mostly involved. The essential share of activity is presented with metalloproteinases, which can indirectly evidence the important role of microbiota in the digestion of ruff. The small share of cysteine proteinases in both uninfected and infected fish may indicate minor intestinal damages caused by the attachment structures of cestodes.