Separation of Nematode Eggs from Fecal Debris by Gradient Centrifugation

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Abstract
A technique is described in which eggs of Nematodlrus spathlger can be removed from fecal debris by gradient centrlfugation. Fecal material is broken up in water, passed through a 20- or 40-mesh screen to remove large particles and allowed to sediment in a cylinder 2-6 hours, after which the supernatant fluid is discarded. A sugar gradient is prepared by diluting a 500/360 w/v sucrose solution 12, 1:4, 1:6, and 1:8, and layering the solutions in a centrifuge tube. The feces-water suspension is placed on top of the sugar and the tube centrifuged at 800 q for 20 minutes. Eggs form a relatively thin layer in a properly prepared gradient, and may be removed with a fine pipette. When a mixture of ovine nematode eggs was centrifuged in a gradient, they separated into nearly discrete layers. Coccidial oocysts and eggs of Fasciola hepatica were found only with the heaviest debris at the bottom of the centrifuge tube.

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