Seasonal variation in the biochemical composition of the albumen gland of the giant African land snail Archachatina marginata in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT Archachatina marginata is an African pulmonate gastropod widely reared for food. There is a lack of information on the influence of seasonal changes on the reproductive physiology of these snails, hindering optimum reproduction throughout the year. Thus, the aim of this study was to measure seasonal variation in the albumen gland of A. marginata snails in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. A total of 252 snails was purchased from the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. The snails were acclimatised for three weeks in rearing cages. Twenty-one snails were dissected each month for twelve months and the albumen gland separated. Samples collected were analysed in the laboratory using standard chemical methods. Data collected were analysed using one-way analysis of variance and t-test. Glucose (P < 0.05) and protein (non-significant) were found to be higher in the dry season than in the rainy season, while cholesterol (P < 0.05) and triacylglycerol (non-significant) were higher in the rainy season than in the dry. In conclusion, this study showed that the biochemical composition of the albumen gland of A. marginata snails was influenced by seasonal variation.