Journal Article

Effects of Feeding Different Rations on Growth and Some Innate Immune Parameters in The Haemolymph of African Giant Land Snail (Archachatina marginata)

Abstract

Nutritional status is recognized as a major factor that modulates immune responses, although interactions between specific nutrients and some immune responses are poorly understood. This study evaluated the effects of different plant feeds on protein coagulation and Phenoloxidase activities in the haemolymph of Archachatina marginata. Eighty grower of giant land snails, Archachatina marginata were grouped into treatments A,B, C and D based on feeding with standard feed, Carica papaya, Tridax procumbens, and Asclepsia carlifonia respectively. The Weight gain and growth parameters of experimental snails were monitored and measured for 4 weeks. The activities of some innate parameters after four weeks were determined through Phenoloxidase activity and protein coagulation in fractions of snails’ haemolymph. The result showed that weight gain of plant fed snails is significantly (p<0.05) higher ranging from 7.11-26.41 g, compared to the standard (1.77 g). Similarly, the growth performance of plant fed snails, (4.20-14.92 cm) were high compared to the standard (3.05-12.77 cm). The protein coagulation in different fractions increased significantly, (0.03-0.32) compare to the standard (0.02- 0.06). Likewise, significant increase in Phenoloxidase activity was observed in snails fed plants (0.02- 0.08) compared to the standard (0.02). Results of this study suggests that the nutritional compositions of the feeds fed affects both the growth and the innate immune response of A. marginata.

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