VARIATION OF CALCIUM DISTRIBUTION IN DIFFERENT ORGANS OF LIVER FLUKE FASCIOLA HEPATICA

Abstract

Introduction: Livestock, including sheep, are infected with many types of parasitic diseases, and among these diseases is fascioliasis, or the so-called liver rot, which is caused by the Fasciola hepatica worm. This disease is widespread in many regions of the world, especially those with moderate climatic conditions. This disease harms the state’s economy and livestock breeders due to the high rates of infection, which greatly affects animal production. Materials: Wax sections were made from F. hepatica, cut with a thickness of 7 microns, and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin stain and Von Kossa technique to investigate the calcium sites in different organs of the worm. Results: There was a clear discrepancy in the density of calcium present in several internal organs of F. hepatica. Conclusion: We infer from this research that there is a clear variation in the density of calcium as well as the size and shape of the calcareous corpuscles in their different locations in the worm’s organs.