Published Paper Details:

Earthworm, Eisenia foetida has a good regenerative potential and has been used in various studies to understand the regenerative process. Regeneration in earthworm is a sequential process starting with blastema formation by dedifferentiation and redifferentiation to restore the lost parts. Regenerative potential is dependent on the position of amputation and site specific.Eisenia foetida were cultured and two types of amputation were performed i.e. 20 segments amputated from anterior and posterior ends and 40 segments amputated from anterior and posterior end resulting in medial segments for regenerative studies. The growth and regenerative potential were compared and correlated. The anterior ends of the medial segment showed a better regenerative growth as compared to posterior end and quantified by the calculating coefficient of regeneration. It is also observed that medial fragment with more segments have a higher potential of regeneration and a good correlation was seen between the site of amputation and time for regeneration. Various theories are proposed relating to regeneration potential and site of amputation. A preference in anterior regeneration to posterior regeneration is hypothesized due to the presence of vital organs for survival. Regeneration should be studied at a genetic level to understand the mechanism.