Comparison between two methods of scorpion venom milking in Morocco

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.

Figure 1

Methods of scorpion venom milking: (A) manual and (B) electrical method.

Figure 2

Electrophoretic profile of venoms on polyacrylamide gel in the presence of SDS in reducing conditions. Lane 1: molecular mass markers, lane 2: Amm manual method (MM) (10 μg), lane 3: Amm MM (20 μg), lane 4: Amm electric method (EM) (10 μg), lane 5: Amm EM (20 μg), lane 6: Bot MM (10 μg), lane 7: Bot MM (20 μg), lane 8: Bot EM (10 μg), lane 9: Bot EM (20 μg).

Figure 3

Western blot analysis of scorpion venoms by 12.5% SDS/PAGE. Molecular size standards (MWM) are indicated in the left (in kDa) with the corresponding venom lanes from left to right as follows: hm: hemolymph of scorpion; Amm: Androctonus mauretanicus mauretanicus venom collected by manual method, Bot: Buthus occitanus tunetanus venom collected by manual method, Bot’: Buthus occitanus tunetanus venom collected by electrical method and Amm’: Androctonus mauretanicus mauretanicus venom collected by electrical method.