Cyclophosphamide as a Potential Chemosterilant for Harmful Snails

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Abstract
Cyclophosphamide-induced changes in the ovotestis of the snail Lymnaea acuminata, the vector of the cattle and human liverflukes Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica, were studied to explore potential of the drug as a chemosterilant for snails. The drug caused a dose-dependent reduction in the levels of DNA, RNA and proteins and the activity of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase. It increased the activity of acid phosphatase and the levels of total free amino acids in the ovotestis. While the animals showed nearly total recovery in RNA and DNA levels 7 days after termination of drug treatment, changes produced in protein, amino acid levels and phosphatase activity did not show any recovery. It appears that cyclophosphamide, while affecting its primary targets, i.e., DNA and RNA, also irreversibly inhibits protein synthesis through other cellular enzymes.