Abstract
Other than in animal models of human disease, little functional imaging has been performed in most of the animal world. The aim of this study was to explore the functional anatomy of the European round back slug (Arionidae) and leopard slug (Limacidae) and to establish an imaging protocol for comparative species study. Radionuclide images with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) were obtained after injections of standard clinical radiopharmaceuticals 99mtechnetium dicarboxypropane diphosphonate (bone scintigraphy), 99mtechnetium mercaptoacetyltriglycine (kidney function), 99mtechnetium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (kidney function), 99mtechnetium pertechnetate (mediated by the sodium-iodide symporter), 99mtechnetium sestamibi (cardiac scintigraphy) or 18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose (glucose metabolism) in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) for uptake anatomic definition. Images were compared with anatomic drawings for the Arionidae species. Additionally, organ uptake data was determined for a description of slug functional anatomy in comparison to human tracer biodistribution patterns identifying the heart, the open circulatory anatomy, calcified shell remnant, renal structure (nephridium), liver (digestive gland) and intestine. The results show the detailed functional anatomy of Arionidae and Limacidae, and describe an in vivo whole-body imaging procedure for invertebrate species.
Highlights
Much has been learned about comparative anatomy and physiologic systems from whole animal imaging in mammalian species and paleontology, little has been published that elucidates this information in live invertebrates[1,2]
Positron emission computed tomography (PET) in molluscs has been performed in Octopus vulgaris with 18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose (18F-FDG)[6], and fluid transport in Chironomus plumosus larvae in muddy sediments has been imaged with 18F-fluoride in w ater[7]
This study demonstrates the first use of nuclear medicine techniques for live, non-invasive whole animal imaging of physiologic radiotracer uptake in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) in round back (Arionidae) and leopard slugs (Limacidae)
Summary
Much has been learned about comparative anatomy and physiologic systems from whole animal imaging in mammalian species and paleontology, little has been published that elucidates this information in live invertebrates[1,2]. In addition to providing detailed information on species morphometry for taxonomy investigations[3,4], new insights might be gained in these unique models of environmental adaptation and function These findings might apply to understanding effects of modern environments on ancient species and sustainability indicators in local populations. Renal scintigraphy involving 99mtechnetium mercaptoacetyltriglycine (99mTc-MAG3) and 99mtechnetium diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) was used for the determination of kidney morphology and function in corn snakes (Elaphe guttata guttata) and green iguanas (Iguana iguana)[9,10] This imaging study was undertaken to (1) determine the feasibility of radionuclide imaging in invertebrates, the European round back slug (Arion vulgaris, Arionidae) and leopard slug (Limax maximus, Limacidae), and (2) to determine if slug anatomic areas show differences in physiologic and metabolic activity measured by common radionuclide imaging procedures for major organ systems. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) were performed
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