Plastination of Some Cow and Ram Organs in Ghana for Use as Teaching Aids

Abstract

The plastination procedure was adapted using locally available materials in Ghana to prepare plastinated specimens of the heart and kidneys of a Cow, the lungs and attached trachea of a Ram, and the penis and attached testicles of a Ram for use as teaching aids. The extent of shrinkage varied among the various organs and among the various stages of plastination. For the individual specimens the extents of shrinkages at the beginning and at the end of each plastination stage were not significantly different (P≤0.05) but significantly different (P≤0.05) among the various stages of plastination. The extents of shrinkage among the various organs were not significantly different. Shrinkage was highest at dehydration and the least at fixation. With the exception of the Ram’s lung which discoloured and lost its natural shape the plastinated specimens maintained their shapes and are satisfactory for use as teaching aids. Plastination could easily be adapted for preparing teaching aids for science classes at all levels of education in Ghana.