The infective stage of Fasciola hepatica is

Options

A. Sporocyst
B. Redia
C. Cercaria
D. Metacercaria

Answer

To determine the infective stage of Fasciola hepatica, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Hosts**: Fasciola hepatica, commonly known as the liver fluke, has two hosts in its life cycle: the primary host (definitive host) which can be sheep, cattle, or buffalo, and the secondary host (intermediate host) which is a gastropod snail.

2. **Understand the Life Cycle**: The life cycle of Fasciola hepatica involves several stages, including eggs, larval stages, and adult flukes. The larvae develop within the snail before they are released into the water.

3. **Recognize the Larval Stages**: The larval stages include:
- **Cercaria**: This is the stage that emerges from the snail and swims in the water.
- **Metacercaria**: This is the encysted form that is formed when cercariae lose their tails and encyst in the environment.

4. **Identify the Infective Stage**: The infective stage for the definitive host (sheep, cattle, or buffalo) is the **metacercaria**. This stage is capable of infecting the host when ingested.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the correct answer to the question "The infective stage of Fasciola hepatica is" is **Metacercaria**.

### Final Answer:
The infective stage of Fasciola hepatica is **Metacercaria**.

---