ABSTRACT
Objective To understand whether phenol oxidase (PO) existed in the body of Oncomelania hupensis and to observe histological distribution of the enzyme. Methods Enzyme histochemical method: adult female and male snails collected from the riverside of Yangtze River of Wuhu section were anatomized and consequently incubated in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer containing 25 mmol/L catechol at 37 ℃. Then under a stereo microscope, some of the snails were observed and recorded for the existing condition and histological distribution of PO in their bodies. Fluorescent histochemical method: after the process of incubation mentioned above, catechol were exsucted from the group of other snails. Afterward, some phosphate buffer solution (pH 6.8) containing 0.05% sodium penobarbital was added into the group. Then the existing condition and histological distribution of PO were also observed and recorded under a fluorescent microscope. Results The first method indicated that the color of the liver surface turned from French grey to light grey in 5 minutes, to grey in 15 minutes and black in 30 minutes. The second method showed that fluorescien appeared on the surface of the snail liver. Conclusion PO exists in the bodies of male and female snails and locates in their livers.