The histological effects of a bioenergy water on degenerated adductor muscles in cultured juvenile abalone, Haliotis discus hannai

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the recovery of degenerated adductor muscles in juvenile abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) which were cultured in bioenergy water for four weeks. Juvenile abalones having average total weight 40.76±24.23 g, shell weight 10.99±7.14 g, shell length 4.87±0.64 cm, shell width 0.96±0.20 cm, and height 3.37±0.48 cm, were fetched from an abalone farm, south Jeola Province Wando County, Republic of Korea. Juvenile abalones were divided into two groups, i.e., treatment and control group. General sea water was used in control whereas bioenergy water was used in treatment groups. Five samples, in all, were collected randomly with (n=8) individuals in each sampling. Juvenile abalones were dissected, fixed and refixed (in 10%formalin). Adductor muscles were chopped, then dehydrated for tissue processing (in 70-100% ethyl alcohol) and embedded with paraffin wax (58-62oC). Thin (4μm) ribbons of embedded tissues were obtained using rotatory microtome which were then stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E method) and preceded for light microscopy finally. In the first sample (0 weeks), adductor muscles showed atrophy (necrosis).In the second sample (1 week after applying bioenergy water), there was a great improvement in muscle histology. Muscle fiber histology recovered completely in the third sample (2 weeks after applying bioenergy water). Lesions (swelling) disappeared in the fourth and the fifth samples too (3 and 4 weeks after applying bioenergy water).The adductor muscles recovered because of immunopotentiating characteristics of bioenergy water that sustained its normal structure. Results of this study suggest that bioenergy water can cure the degenerated adductor muscles of juvenile abalone.