Adverse Effects of Some Relaxants on the Morphology and Histology of Fasciola hepatica (Platyhelminthes)

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Abstract
Commonly used physical and chemical methods for relaxing digenea and other helminths were applied to Fasciola hepatica before fixation. These methods were found to give no better preparations than direct use of fixatives applied at 70–90 C. Neither the shape of the whole mount, nor its staining, were better, and when hypotonic treatments were involved they were very much poorer. Histological examination showed that the tegument was easily damaged or lost after treatment with relaxants, and that the condition of the internal organs was often poor. These are serious disadvantages if the specimens are intended for taxonomic purposes. For crtical work, fixation of freshly collected specimens in very hot (70–90 C) fixatives is recommended; specimens up to 1 mm can be dropped into the fixative but those over 1 mm should be laid flat on slides.

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