Aim:Preservation of macroparasites by infiltrating the polymer in the tissues can defy the inherited shortcoming of classical wet preservation method.Materials and Methods:Preservation was done by infiltrating the melamine alone or with xylene (MX)/chloroform (MC)/turpentine oil (MT) in 1:1 and hardener (MH) in 9:1 ratio in the tissues of the gross specimen of the animal parasites.Results:The plastinated models withstand the process of microbial decomposition, and remain intact in the environmental conditions. The polymer mixture resists the entry of the water molecule, and model dried just after taking out it from the water tank. Overall, the plastinated parasites were dry, non-sticky, glossy, odorless, chemical free, and harmless, to some extent flexible, with detectable morphological structure, and retain their natural form but lost their natural color. Full marks were assigned to the degree of dryness, non-stickiness, and odorlessness to the model plastinated in different solutions on a five-point scale. For flexibility, the score was 1.2, 2.2, and 2.4 for the plastinated model in melamine/MH, MX/MC, and MT solutions, respectively. The average score of glossiness was 4.6 and 5 for the specimen plastinated in melamine/MH and MX/MC/MT solutions, respectively. The degree of dryness, glossiness, stickiness, and flexibility varies non-significantly, with the polymer mixtures used.Conclusion:The prepared model can be used to educate the students/general mass population.

Preparation of anatomical models and teaching aids is a challenging task in the medical, veterinary and paramedical sciences as like as life form. The successful preservation of conventional methods by embalmed cadavers/ corpse's are routinely practiced for educational/research purposes. The existing form of preservation technique is not promising to meet the current challenges in the teaching and learning of human/veterinary anatomy. The embalming fluid causes potential health hazards with continuous exposure of formalin fumes. The study was conducted on dissected cadaverous embalmed specimens by using advanced plastination technique. The 10% formalin fixed and preserved specimens of buffalo head and horse limb were subjected to dehydration, impregnation and hardening with clearing, dehydrating and curing agents. Plastination methodology consists of slowly replacing tissue fluids, lipids with a dehydrating agent and replaced with polymer under force impregnation. In these processes, water and lipids in biological tissues are replaced by curable polymers. The yielded specimens are pleasant to handle, non toxic, pliable, dried and don't smell or decay. These plastinates are well utilized in routine practical demonstrations of gross anatomical observations in institutional teaching as well as learning. The plastinated specimens are today's milestone in medical education and become an ideal teaching tool not only in anatomy but also in pathology, obstetrics, radiology and surgery. Hence, any methodology or technique that would decrease the level of exposure to formaldehyde should be explored. Plastinates offer this excellent alternative as it lowers the risk of undue exposure to formaldehyde with higher health and safety regulations in our country.

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The gross studies were conducted on the thymus of 18 postnatal Surti goats. Three distinct parts of thymus were recognized viz., unpaired thoracic part, caudally situated paired body (cervical part) and right and left cranial parts from day old kid to 9 months. The cranial parts were not observed from the age of 12 months onwards. The caudal cervical part of thymus was gradually replaced by adipose tissue between 14 to 48 months, however, traces of thymus embedded within the adipose tissue was observed in cranial mediastinum even at the age of 48 months. The right limb of cervical thymus was slightly longer than the left limb in postnatal Surti goats. The maximum mean weight (26.850 ± 2.885 g) and volume (22.333 ± 2.275 cc) of thymus was recorded between 4 to 9 months. Relative weight of thymus was 0.39% in neonatal kids, which was much higher as compared to 0.015 % in adult Surti goats. Negative correlation was observed between age and weight of thymus during 12 to 48 months.