Fig 5. Effect of harmonine on egg production.

S. mansoni couples were cultured with different concentrations of harmonine for a period of 72 h. Medium and compound were renewed every 24 h. (A, C) Effect of harmonine on reproduction was assessed by counting the number of total eggs being laid by 10 couples per 24 h period (A) and their percentage of deformed eggs (C). (B) Dose-response curve for the reduction of egg numbers being laid in the last 24 h of the 72 h culture. Summary of two experiments with 10 couples of S. mansoni per experiment and condition; error bars: SEM. (D) Representative images of eggs from control couples and after 72 h treatment with 5 μM harmonine. Deformed eggs were e.g. smaller and often lacked an oocyte, a spine, or a normal amount of vitelline cells. Scale bar is 50 μm. Significant differences to the control at the respective time point are indicated with * p<0.05, ** p<0.01 or *** p<0.001 (students t-test).