Effects of Sheep and Mouse Urine on the Growth Pattern ofLeishmania majorPromastigotes

Abstract

The protozoan parasites of the genusLeishmaniaare the causative agents of different clinical diseases. Fetal calf serum (FCS) is the main part and the most expensive ingredient of theLeishmaniaculture media. Here, the efficacies of different concentrations (1%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10%) of the filtered and autoclaved sheep and mouse urine were evaluated as a growth stimulator inLeishmaniaculture procedure. The results indicated that culture media enriched with the filtered sheep and mouse urine supported the growth of the parasites and can be used for cultivation ofLeishmaniaparasites. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated an alternative low-cost medium that could be used in cultivation process ofLeishmania majorpromastigotes.