The Effects of Betadine®, Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and Iodine on Regeneration in the Planarian <em>Dugesia tigrina</em>.

• Main Author: Shaffer, Traci R
• Format: Others
• Published: Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University 2010
• Subjects: Iodine; PVP; Betadine; regeneration; planarian; Biology; Life Sciences
• Online Access: https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/2247; https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3610&amp;context=etd

The freshwater planarian has a great capacity to regenerate and is an ideal animal model in the study of stem cell and regeneration biology. In this study planarian regenerating new tails were exposed to nonlethal doses of Betadine®, Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and Iodine. Betadine® is a topical antiseptic commonly used in the healthcare setting and may have a detrimental effect on wound healing. PVP is linked to iodine to create povidone-iodine, the active ingredient in Betadine®. Initially, a preliminary test was performed on the worms to determine the nonlethal concentrations of these chemicals . After this nonlethal concentration was determined, tails were amputated and a designated number of worms were placed in the Betadine®, PVP, and Iodine solutions. Spring water was used as a control. This study determined that Betadine® and PVP showed no significant impact on regrowth rate and wound healing in the planarian, while Iodine did.