Axenic in vitro culture of schistosoma mansoni miracidia

Miracidia of Schistosoma mansoni have been grown axenically. The use of saline solution of 0.75% facilitated the shedding of epidermal plates which if occurred promote a rapid sporocystogenesis. Also, the use of a ratio of 1: 3 [fetal calf serum and medium 199], in addition to chernin balanced salt solution [SBSS] was ideal for maintaining sporocysts up to 14 days. All the miracidia shed their epidermal plates 2 hours post cultivation. At the end of the second week post cultivation, the daughter sporocysts measured 690 u in length by 50 u in width. The usage of plastic flat sided flasks with plenty of culture medium was very important for inducing a proper growth of sporocysts