Behavioral, Biochemical, and Histological Evaluation of Artificial Light on Infected Freshwater Snails Bimophalaria alexandrina by Schistosoma mansoni

Document Type : Original Article

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Abstract

Artificial light near rivers and lakes can have a substantial impact on aquatic species, especially freshwater snails, in terms of behavioral and physiological parameters. The extent to which this alternation may occur is unknown, particularly if this snail serves as an intermediate host for the parasite Schistosoma mansoni. As a result, the goal of this study is to see how light from high-pressure sodium (HPS) and light-emitting diode (LED) lights interact with Schistosoma mansoni infection in Bimophalaria alexandrina snails. The survival rate of infected snails and the mean number of cercariae/snails exposed to HPS was significantly higher than those exposed to LED. The investigation revealed that infected snails were more active and traveled longer distances at a higher speed post the 4th week of the exposure to LED light. Results of biochemical parameters showed a highly significant elevation in malondialdehyde (MDA) activity post-exposure to LED, while a highly significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was recorded after exposure to HSP. The histopathological examination of infected snails exposed to LED showed highly affected digestive tissue, degenerated sporocysts, and incomplete mature cercariae, while the infected snails exposed to HPS showed well-developed sporocysts and mature cercariae with differentiated heads and tails. Snails exposed to LED showed a highly significant decrease in serotonin levels compared to those exposed to HPS. Melatonin levels recorded significant differences between the exposed groups to LED and HPS. The current study recommends using artificial LED lighting around freshwater canals instead of HPS lighting, which could limit the transmission of schistosomes.

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