A slow loris having its teeth removed by a pet trader (Image 1).
Nowadays, venoms have the potential to be used as medicine. Vampire bat venom, because of its anticoagulant properties, is a candidate for thrombolytic therapy (treatment for heart attacks and strokes) (Ligabue-Braun, Verli, & Carlini, 2012). The most common use for venom in the medical community is for the creation of antivenom. Snake envenomation is a highly relevant public issue. It is difficult to estimate the numbers of attacks that occur, as, in many countries, the attacks are not appropriately reported or treated. Adequate treatment is critically dependent on the ability of antivenoms to reverse venom-induced haemorrhage, hypotensive shock, coagulopathy (the inability of the blood to clot) and other symptoms. Antivenom is made by using animals (such as horses, sheep or rabbits) to produce antibodies to counteract the venom. This is done by injecting extremely small amounts of venom into the animal on a regular basis for a long period of time. After 10 to 12 months, a small portion of the animal's blood is removed and the plasma (which contains the antibodies) is extracted (Calvete, et al., 2009).
A snake being milked for venom (Image 2).
A short documentary 'The Making of Antivenom' can be watched here: http://www.biocsl.com.au/bites-app.
References
Calvete, et al. (2009). Venoms, venomics, antivenomics. FEBS Letters , 583 (11), 1736-1743.
Ligabue-Braun, R., Verli, H., & Carlini, C. (2012). Venomous mammals: A review. Toxicon , 59, 680-695.
Nekaris, K., et al. (2013). Mad, bad and dangerous to know: the biochemistry, ecology and evolution of slow loris venom. Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases , 19 (21).
Images
Image 1 - http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/Nycticebus_tooth_removal_01.jpg/220px-Nycticebus_tooth_removal_01.jpg. Accessed on 12/05/14.
Image 2 - http://dxline.info/img/term/antivenin-1067_3.jpg. Accessed on 12/05/14.
The relationship between humans and venomous animals is an interesting one. From an evolutionary perspective, do you think that humans are afraid and suspicious of venomous animals because of past experience of the adverse effects of venoms? Why is it that some venomous animals spark more fear than others? A topic worth thinking about …
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense for us to be scared of these animals due to millions of years of past encounters. As to whether this caution is genetic or just taught (or both) is probably hard to tell. Perhaps we are more afraid of the venomous animals we are more likely to encounter, like snakes and spiders, or ones that are difficult to detect, like stone fish.
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ReplyDeleteVenom OG Strain