Effects of various environments on number of cocoon and offspring in breeding of southern medicinal leech, Hirudo verbana Carena, 1820

Abstract

Breeding medicinal leeches in controlled environments is extremely important in order to prevent their extinction. Moreover, due to medicinal leeches coming into contact with the patient's blood, breeding medicinal leeches in hygienic conditions is essential to prevent possible complications. In this study, breeding patterns of Hirudo verbana were studied in controlled conditions and the effects of various moist environments were examined. Peat, hydrogel and chopped sponge materials were compared in terms of number of cocoon and offspring in medicinal leech breeding. Peat and hydrogel environments didn’t show any statistically significant difference for number of cocoon and offspring breeding. Cocoon per leech was 3.13 ± 0.74 for peat and 2.80 ± 0.56 for hydrogel respectively. Offspring per cocoon was 11.81 ± 2.27 for peat and 12.52 ± 1.98 for hydrogel (P>0.05) respectively. In conclusion, hydrogel could be a new material for medicinal leech cocoon deposition environment especially for laboratory breeders.