Volume of Parasite Tissue Relative to the Volume of Host Tissue in Infected Snails

Location

CSU Ballroom

Start Date

11-4-2017 10:00 AM

End Date

11-4-2017 11:30 AM

Student's Major

Biological Sciences

Student's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Mentor's Name

Robert Sorensen

Mentor's Department

Biological Sciences

Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Second Mentor's Name

Scott Malotka

Second Mentor's Department

Biological Sciences

Second Mentor's College

Science, Engineering and Technology

Description

When trematode parasites infect snails they consume host tissue for asexual reproduction. For this study, snails were collected from Lake Winnibigoshish and checked for trematode infection. Infected snails were frozen for later use. These snails were then used to determine the volume of parasite tissue relative to the volume of host tissue in infected snails. This was accomplished by analyzing serial cross sections through the snails using light microscopy. First, the snails were washed in formalin overnight to fix the tissue and prevent degradation. The snails were then washed with distilled water and several baths of ethanol of increasing concentration. The ethanol washes gradually dehydrate the specimens to better preserve the tissue. Then the snails were washed with xylene. The snails were embedded in paraffin wax to allow for slicing in the microtome. Once the snails were cut into cross sections, the tissue was mounted on slides and stained using hematoxylin and eosin. The Moticam 10 digital camera was used to capture images of the slides under light microscopy. Moticam Images Plus software was used to calculate the volume of parasite tissue relative to the volume of host tissue in infected snails.

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Apr 11th, 10:00 AM Apr 11th, 11:30 AM

Volume of Parasite Tissue Relative to the Volume of Host Tissue in Infected Snails

CSU Ballroom

When trematode parasites infect snails they consume host tissue for asexual reproduction. For this study, snails were collected from Lake Winnibigoshish and checked for trematode infection. Infected snails were frozen for later use. These snails were then used to determine the volume of parasite tissue relative to the volume of host tissue in infected snails. This was accomplished by analyzing serial cross sections through the snails using light microscopy. First, the snails were washed in formalin overnight to fix the tissue and prevent degradation. The snails were then washed with distilled water and several baths of ethanol of increasing concentration. The ethanol washes gradually dehydrate the specimens to better preserve the tissue. Then the snails were washed with xylene. The snails were embedded in paraffin wax to allow for slicing in the microtome. Once the snails were cut into cross sections, the tissue was mounted on slides and stained using hematoxylin and eosin. The Moticam 10 digital camera was used to capture images of the slides under light microscopy. Moticam Images Plus software was used to calculate the volume of parasite tissue relative to the volume of host tissue in infected snails.

Recommended Citation

Adam, Ashley and Emily Jones. "Volume of Parasite Tissue Relative to the Volume of Host Tissue in Infected Snails." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 11, 2017.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2017/poster-session-A/2