Fertilization state of Ascaris suum determined by electrorotation.
Electrorotation is a non-invasive technique that is capable of detecting changes in the morphology and physicochemical properties of microorganisms. The first detailed electrorotation study of the egg (ovum) of a parasitic nematode, namely Ascaris suum is described to show that electrorotation can rapidly differentiate between fertilized and non-fertilized eggs. Support for this conclusion is by optical microscopy of egg morphology, and also from modelling of the electrorotational response. Modelling was used to determine differences in the dielectric properties of the unfertilized and fertilized eggs, and also to investigate specific differences in the spectra of fertilized eggs only, potentially reflecting embryogenesis. The potential of electrorotation as an investigative tool is shown, as undamaged eggs can be subjected to further non-destructive and destructive techniques, which could provide further insight into parasite biology and epidemiology.
Bio Systems Research and Applications Group, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary T2N 1N4, Canada. cdalton@ucalgary.ca
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D000818:Animals; D017165:Ascaris suum / Q000196:embryology / Q000502:physiology*; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005260:Female; D005306:Fertilization / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D012399:Rotation; D015053:Zygote