Effect of blood type on reproduction rate in medicinal leech Hirudo orientalis

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of blood type of different animals on leech reproductivity, egg numbers, size and weight of each cocoon. To do this, three different blood types of a cow, hens and frogs were studied to measure the rate of medicinal leech Hirudo orientalis reproduction. According to statistical analysis, there was a significant difference between leech final weights (after feeding) (P<0/05). Leeches consumed more blood from cow compared to hens and frogs. They also consumed the least amount of blood from frogs. Results revealed that the cocoons obtained from leeches fed with cow blood were heavier and longer than that of other two groups while, the leeches fed with frog blood showed the lowest weight and length among the experimental groups (P<0.05). Reproduction, survival and hatching rate in leeches were, respectively, 15.29, 90 and 95.29% for cow blood, 11.44, 83.33 and 93.75% for hen blood and 7.17, 76.66 and 92.68% for frog blood. The results of this study indicated that the type of blood can affect the reproduction, survival and hatching rate in leeches. Based on the results of this study cow blood is recommended for leech cultivation. The results achieved in this study can be used in the leech breeding industry.