Optimization of culture conditions for in vitro fertilization and reproduction of Microphallus turgidus (Trematoda: Microphallidae).

Most attempts to culture adult digeneans in vitro are unsuccessful. Even progenetic digeneans typically fail to produce infective eggs in axenic culture. However, metacercariae of Microphallus turgidus grown in vitro mature into adults and release eggs infective to the hydrobiid snail Spurwinkia salsa.

In vitro cultivation of Microphallus turgidus (Trematoda: Microphallidae) from metacercaria to ovigerous adult with continuation of the life cycle in the laboratory.

In vitro cultivation of trematodes would aid studies on the basic biology of the parasites and the development of chemotherapies and vaccines. Our goal was to measure the in vitro survival and maturation of metacercariae of Microphallus turgidus under different culture conditions. Metacercariae of M.