Infected freshwater snails, Biomphalaria alexandrina, the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni

Abstract EN

The objective was to study the chromosomes of Biomphalaria alexandrina snails (class Gastropoda) in control and infected state which could be helpful in understanding how host-parasite relationships in feasible and effective control measures.

The chromosomal changes were studied using the air-drying method.

The results showed that B.

alexandrina had a diploid chromosome number, 2n = 36.

Also, the meiotic stages were detected as early- leptotene and late leptotene, zygotene, diplotene, metaphase I.

The result also revealed the presence of a primitive sperm, with a conical head and a very long, uni-flagellate tail.

A comparative meiotic chromosome analysis between the control and infected ones showed some significant differences, as pachytene and diplotene were more condensed.