Research Article

Effects of Different Temperatures on the Development and Viability of Toxocara canis Eggs and Larvae

Volume: 10 Number: 2 July 16, 2026

Effects of Different Temperatures on the Development and Viability of Toxocara canis Eggs and Larvae

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of different temperature levels on the development of Toxocara canis eggs and the viability of larvae developing from these eggs. Materials and Methods: Eggs isolated from adult female T. canis obtained from naturally infected dogs were suspended in physiological saline solution at a concentration of approximately 4,000 eggs per sample and incubated at 0, 4, 10, 20, 25, 30, and 35°C for seven weeks. Egg development was monitored daily under a light microscope and classified as degenerated eggs, undeveloped eggs, eggs exhibiting blastomere division, embryonated eggs containing larvae, and free larvae. At the end of the incubation period, larval viability was evaluated. Results: No developmental progression was observed in eggs incubated at 0°C, and all eggs showed structural degeneration. At 4°C, blastomere division occurred; however, larval development did not occur. At 10°C, limited larval development (28%) was observed; however, the viability rate was low (10%). At 20°C and above, larval development increased markedly, reaching the highest level at 30°C (91%). Larval viability was also highest at 30°C (97%). At 35°C, both development (21%) and viability (43%) decreased significantly. Conclusion: In conclusion, temperature was identified as a determining factor in the development and larval viability of T. canis eggs. Optimal conditions for development and viability were observed at approximately 30°C, whereas very low and high temperatures were found to adversely affect the development and survival of the parasite.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

This study was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) under the 2209-A Research Projects Support Program for Undergraduate Students (Project No. 1919B012304289).

Project Number

1919B012304289

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments of Kırıkkale University (approval date: 25 October 2023; approval number: E.206830). All procedures involving animals were conducted in accordance with the institutional guidelines and relevant national regulations for the care and use of animals.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Parasitology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 16, 2026

Submission Date

February 17, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 30, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 10 Number: 2

APA
Babacan, Z. B., & Gökpınar, S. (2026). Effects of Different Temperatures on the Development and Viability of Toxocara canis Eggs and Larvae. Turkish Journal of Veterinary Research, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.47748/tjvr.1891227
AMA
1.Babacan ZB, Gökpınar S. Effects of Different Temperatures on the Development and Viability of Toxocara canis Eggs and Larvae. TJVR. 2026;10(2). doi:10.47748/tjvr.1891227
Chicago
Babacan, Zeynep Begüm, and Sami Gökpınar. 2026. “Effects of Different Temperatures on the Development and Viability of Toxocara Canis Eggs and Larvae”. Turkish Journal of Veterinary Research 10 (2). https://doi.org/10.47748/tjvr.1891227.
EndNote
Babacan ZB, Gökpınar S (July 1, 2026) Effects of Different Temperatures on the Development and Viability of Toxocara canis Eggs and Larvae. Turkish Journal of Veterinary Research 10 2
IEEE
[1]Z. B. Babacan and S. Gökpınar, “Effects of Different Temperatures on the Development and Viability of Toxocara canis Eggs and Larvae”, TJVR, vol. 10, no. 2, July 2026, doi: 10.47748/tjvr.1891227.
ISNAD
Babacan, Zeynep Begüm - Gökpınar, Sami. “Effects of Different Temperatures on the Development and Viability of Toxocara Canis Eggs and Larvae”. Turkish Journal of Veterinary Research 10/2 (July 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.47748/tjvr.1891227.
JAMA
1.Babacan ZB, Gökpınar S. Effects of Different Temperatures on the Development and Viability of Toxocara canis Eggs and Larvae. TJVR. 2026;10. doi:10.47748/tjvr.1891227.
MLA
Babacan, Zeynep Begüm, and Sami Gökpınar. “Effects of Different Temperatures on the Development and Viability of Toxocara Canis Eggs and Larvae”. Turkish Journal of Veterinary Research, vol. 10, no. 2, July 2026, doi:10.47748/tjvr.1891227.
Vancouver
1.Zeynep Begüm Babacan, Sami Gökpınar. Effects of Different Temperatures on the Development and Viability of Toxocara canis Eggs and Larvae. TJVR. 2026 Jul. 1;10(2). doi:10.47748/tjvr.1891227