Light and scanning electron microscopic studies on the effect of Acacia arabica against Cotylophoron cotylophorum

Abstract

Cotylophoron cotylophorum (Fischoeder 1901) is a gastrointestinal parasite, primarily occurring in the rumen of livestock. Paramphistomosis, the disease caused by this digenetic trematode is responsible for considerable economic losses. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of Acacia arabica on the surface topography and internal architecture of Cotylophoron cotylophorum. Structural analysis of the control and drug-treated flukes was carried out using light microscopy and scanning through electron microscope. In light microscopic observation, severe vacuolization in the parenchyma and oral sucker are obvious. Lesions were also observed in testis. Morphological analysis by scanning via electron microscope revealed distortions in the tegument, crater formations and appearance of ridges.