POST AESTIVATION DYNAMICS OF THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS OF GIANT AFRICAN LAND SNAILS (ARCHACHATINA MARGINATA): HISTOLOGICAL AND HISTOCHEMICAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The study was carried out to monitor the recovering of the tissue of the female reproductive organs of Giant African Land Snail (Archachatinamarginata) (GALS) post aestivation. The histological and histochemical changes were examined at 0, 3 and 6 weeks of post aestivation. The experiment was conducted using forty (40) reproductively matured and apparently healthy snails, laid out in a completely randomized design, with 2 snails replicated four times. The histological and histochemicalsections were observed for tissue structural alteration, lipid, calcium and glycogen accumulation (or depletion) with H & E, Von Kossa and PAS staining techniques respectively. Prominent basement membrane with underlying supportive tissue was observed at the 6th week aestivation lengths. At the 3rd week of arousal, there were clearer lumen and mass of densely packed cells around the epithelium. The emergence of secretory epithelium cells were also observed at the 3rd week post dormancy. The control showed cells which were sparsely packed, oblique with a diminished structural conformation. At arousal, circular or pear shaped follicles were observed in the tissue of the albumin gland with conspicuous glandular cells and appearance of lumen. The follicles got progressively enlarged with rehydration (3P – 6P), closing up the intercellular spaces. The vagina showed a diminished lumen prominently lined with ciliated columnar epitheliumwith outstanding muscular walls which did not show substantial recovery within the investigated arousal periods. The Albumin gland tissues of Archachatinamarginata were positive for glycogen deposition. Intracellular storage form of carbohydrate (glycogen) was marginally evident in the 6th week aestivation section. On arousal, substantial improvement was not observed within the post aestivation period.