Extremely low frequency magnetic field and the hatching rate of Fasciola hepatica eggs, the fecundity and survival of liver fluke-infected snail, Lymnaea truncatula.
Eggs of Fasciola hepatica were exposed for 10 days to extremely low frequency magnetic field (ELFMF) at the frequency of 50 Hz and density of 2 mT (rms). The results show an accelerated hatching of F. hepatica eggs in relation to control (non-exposed) group. The host snails, Lymnaea truncatula, were divided into three groups; those of groups I and II were infected with the miracidia of F. hepatica hatched from control egg culture, whereas those of group III were infected with miracidia hatched from eggs affected by ELFMF. Thereafter, snails of groups II and III were exposed to ELFMF for 53 days, whereas those of group I were not exposed. At day 14 post infection, a significant decrease was observed in the number of cocoons laid by snails of group III, compared with control. Also, significant mortality in group III snails was observed 42 days post infection. The increased mortality and a lower number of cocoons laid by group III snails have probably resulted from enhanced stimulation of metacercarial parthenogenetic reproduction in consequence of infecting the molluscs with miracidia reared under ELFMF.
Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland. lkolo@sci.pam.szczecin.pl
Lidia
L
Kołodziejczyk
Wanda
W
Kuźna-Grygiel
Bolesław
B
Gonet
Wojciech
W
Podraza
D000818:Animals; D005210:Fasciola hepatica / Q000502:physiology*; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008195:Lymnaea / Q000469:parasitology*; D008280:Magnetics; D010063:Ovum / Q000502:physiology*; D012098:Reproduction