A Rapid Method for Making Permanent Mounts of Nematodes

Abstract

A rapid method which can be used to mount and clear nematodes and their eggs is presented. Permanent mounts of certain nematodes and parasite eggs have been prepared using a medium consisting of 56 parts of a stock solution of polyvinyl alcohol (“PVA”), 22 parts phenol and 22 parts of lactic acid. The stock solution of PVA is prepared by dissolving 15 grams of PVA in 100 ml. of distilled water. This medium can be used on material killed and fixed in 10% formalin, any concentration of alcohol, alcohol-glycerin or glycerin. Results have been very satisfactory in most instances. An accompanying plate of photographs shows some of the preparations obtained by using this method.