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J. Venom. Anim. Toxins incl. Trop. Dis.

V.19, p.107-111, 2013.

Original paper - ISSN 1678-9199.

 

Comparison between two methods of scorpion venom milking in Morocco

 
Naoual Oukkache 1, Fatima Chgoury 1, Mekki Lalaoui 1, Alejandro Alagón Cano 2, Noreddine Ghalim 1

1Laboratory of Venoms and Toxins, Pasteur Institute of Morocco, 1 Place Louis Pasteur, Casablanca 20360, Morocco

2Institute of Biotechnology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Cuernavaca, Mexico

ABSTRACT

 

Background

The present study compared two methods used successfully in a large-scale program for the collection of scorpion venoms, namely the milking of adult scorpions via manual and electrical stimulation.

 

Results

Our immunobiochemical characterizations clearly demonstrate that regularly applied electrical stimulation obtains scorpion venom more easily and, most importantly, in greater quantity. Qualitatively, the electrically collected venom showed lack of hemolymph contaminants such as hemocyanin. In contrast, manual obtainment of venom subjects scorpions to maximal trauma, leading to hemocyanin secretion. Our study highlighted the importance of reducing scorpion trauma during venom milking.

 

Conclusions

In conclusion, to produce high quality antivenom with specific antibodies, it is necessary to collect venom by the gentler electrical stimulation method.

 

Key words: Scorpion venoms; Manual stimulation; Electrical stimulation; Antivenom; Lethality

 

Received: October 2, 2012; Accepted: November 13, 2012

 
 

Competing interest The author declares no conflicts of interest.

 
 

Authors’ contributions ON performed the chemical tests. CF was responsible for the venom manually obtained and its preparation. LM, director of the Pasteur Institute of Morocco, established the conditions for this study and took part by reading and correcting the manuscript. AA and ON set up the sampling technique for electrically obtained venom and contributed with technical analysis. GN provided the scorpions, supervised the venom collection and preparation, and was responsible for drafting the present manuscript and for the editorial corrections. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

 

 

Correspondence: lucamlu@tin.it