The duration of rest and feeding greatly affects the re-breeding of ectoparasites: Hirudo verbana, Hirudo medicinalis and Hirudo orientalis
Research article published in Annals of parasitology (2022)
Abstract
Ectoparasitic leeches have many biologically active substances in their body, which are able to show various therapeutic effects, which makes them very relevant in the study. Among them, the most common are medicinal leeches: Hirudo verbana, Hirudo medicinalis and Hirudo orientalis. They are listed in the Red Book as a vulnerable species, so their population is mostly supported in biolabs. Therefore, the search for different methods of their preservation is relevant. The aim of the work was to test the effect of the duration of rest and feeding of animals for re- reproduction, which will increase their population. For the study, three experimental animal groups were formed: 1 control - the animals were fed a week after the first reproduction, re-reproduction occurred not earlier than 2 months; 2 experimental - selected animals that remained clitellum after the first reproduction and again sent to the peat-soil environment for reproduction without rest and feeding; 3 experimental - selected animals that remained clitellum after the first reproduction, fed after 1 week, after another 1-2 weeks again sent to the peat-soil medium for reproduction. As a result of the study, the restoration of the physiological state after the first dilution in the first and third groups was registered. In the second group, the animals are depleted as a result of defective offspring, mortality of them and their offspring.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Ectoparasitic leeches have many biologically active substances in their body, which are able to show various therapeutic effects, which makes them very relevant in the study.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este experimento controlado de cría de animales evaluó cómo los intervalos de descanso y alimentación afectan la recría en tres especies medicinales (Hirudo verbana, H. medicinalis, H. orientalis), informando que las sanguijuelas a las que se les permitió descansar y alimentarse antes de una segunda reproducción recuperaron su estado fisiológico, mientras que aquellas sometidas a recría inmediatamente sin descanso ni alimentación quedaron agotadas, produciendo crías defectuosas con mortalidad tanto en adultos como en jóvenes. Esto es importante para ASH porque estas especies están catalogadas en el Libro Rojo como vulnerables y se mantienen en gran medida en biolaboratorios, por lo que el manejo que protege el plantel reproductor sustenta un suministro confiable y ético de sanguijuelas terapéuticas. La salvedad es que se trata de un pequeño estudio preclínico de cría que aborda el manejo de colonias, no la eficacia clínica o del secretoma, y se refiere al suministro en lugar de a los resultados de los pacientes.
Citación
The duration of rest and feeding greatly affects the re-breeding of ectoparasites: Hirudo verbana, Hirudo medicinalis and Hirudo orientalis.
Aminov R, Frolov A, Aminova A · Annals of parasitology, 2022
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: March 18, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026