Nuklearmedizin 2020; 59(02): 156
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1708322
Wissenschaftliche Poster
Molekulare Bildgebung I
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Radionuclide hybrid imaging in common garden slugs (Arionidae)

N Beindorff
1   Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin Experimental Radionuclide Imaging Center, Berlin
,
D Messroghli
2   Deutsches Herzzentrum Berlin, Department of Internal Medicine - Cardiology, Berlin
,
JF Eary
3   National Institutes of Health/NCI/DCTD, Cancer Imaging Program, Bethesda, U.S
,
W Brenner
4   Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Berlin
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
08 April 2020 (online)

 

Ziel/Aim Much has been learned about comparative anatomy and physiologic systems from whole animal imaging in mammalian species, however, little has been published that elucidates this information in live invertebrates. The aim of this study was to explore the functional anatomy of the European round back slug (Arionidae) and to determine physiologic and metabolic activities measured by common radionuclide imaging procedures for major organ systems in combination with morphological CT and MR imaging.

Methodik/Methods In six hermaphroditic slugs (body weight 8-13 g), SPECT, PET, CT and MR images were acquired by dedicated small animal imaging scanners. After tracer injections (0.1 ml) of Tc-99m-DPD, Tc-99m-MAG3, Tc-99m-pertechnetate, Tc-99m-MIBI or F-18-FDG into the tail slugs were kept at room temperature for an incubation period of 25-100 min depending on the respective tracer. To prevent motion artefacts, slugs were placed in a −20°C freezer for 10 min for immobilization prior to imaging. After imaging, the slugs resumed movement as soon as they warmed up.

Ergebnisse/Results Due to the open circulation system in slugs, free circulation of the haemolymph between the organs resulted in rapid tracer distribution after tail injection. Tracer uptake data was determined for a description of slug functional anatomy identifying the heart (Tc-99m-MIBI, F-18-FDG), the open circulatory anatomy (3T MRI), calcified shell remnant (CT), renal structure (nephridium; all tracers), liver (digestive gland; Tc-99m-MIBI) and intestine (F-18-FDG). CT and MRI provided high-resolution imaging datasets for complementary anatomical information.

Schlussfolgerungen/Conclusions The results presented here for the first time show a detailed functional anatomy of European round back slugs with nuclear and hybrid imaging techniques. These experiments may help defining similarities and differences between mammalian and invertebrate physiology and encouraging future biological in-vivo experiments in Arionidae.