The duration of rest and feeding greatly affects the re-breeding of ectoparasites: Hirudo verbana, Hirudo medicinalis and Hirudo orientalis
Aquaculture study published in Ann Parasitol (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
Compares rest and feeding intervals between leech reproductions; one-week post-reproduction feeding followed by 1-2 week rest restores physiological state and supports successful re-reproduction.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio examinó cómo los distintos períodos de descanso y alimentación tras la reproducción inicial afectan la re-reproducción y la restauración fisiológica de tres especies de sanguijuelas medicinales (Hirudo verbana, Hirudo medicinalis e Hirudo orientalis), catalogadas en el Libro Rojo como vulnerables y cuya población se mantiene mayoritariamente en biolaboratorios. El trabajo resulta relevante para la conservación y la propagación en laboratorio de especies de sanguijuelas que poseen sustancias biológicamente activas con efectos terapéuticos, lo que convierte a las prácticas de cría sostenible en una preocupación práctica para el campo. El resumen indica que permitir un período de descanso de una semana con alimentación restaura el estado fisiológico de los animales tras la primera reproducción, mientras que la re-reproducción inmediata sin descanso ni alimentación conduce a agotamiento, descendencia defectuosa y mortalidad. No obstante, se trata estrictamente de un estudio de zootecnia y conservación; no evalúa la eficacia clínica de la hirudoterapia ni caracteriza ningún compuesto bioactivo.
Citación
The duration of rest and feeding greatly affects the re-breeding of ectoparasites: Hirudo verbana, Hirudo medicinalis and Hirudo orientalis.
Aminov R et al. · Annals of parasitology, 2022
Contexto clínico relacionado
Explore cómo esta investigación se conecta con la práctica clínica
Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026