Effect of common salt (Nacl) on haemocyte count and haemolymp biochemical parameters of Giant African Land snail (A. marginata) during dry season

Abstract

A study was conducted on effect of common salt (NaCl) on haemocyte count and haemolymph biochemical parameters of Giant African Land snail ( Archachatina marginata). Forty (40) snails with weight range of 150g to 180g were used for this study. Four (4) treatment with each consisting of ten (10) replicate include: T1 (Control: concentrate + 0g of salt (NaCl)), T2 (concentrate + 0.05g of salt (NaCl)), T3 (concentrate + 0.15g of salt (NaCl) and T4 (concentrate + 0.25 of salt (NaCl)). The experiment lasted 13 weeks. Haemolymph were collected at the end of 13 weeks. The parameters measured include: haemocyte count, total protein, albumin, globulin, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). The haemocyte count was determined using Nubeurheamocytomer, while haemolymph biochemical parameters were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Mortality record was taken as the experiment progresses. Result
showed that serum biochemical parameters were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by various level of salt used. However, common salt (NaCl) significantly affected (P<0.01) haemocyte count and mortality record of GALS. Snails fed 0.25g NaCl had the highest haemocyte count, followed by those fed 0.15g while snails fed 0g and 0.05g recorded the least. It was also discovered that 0 g Nacl inclusion into the diet of snail (A. marginata) recorded the highest mortality (60%) followed
by 0.05 g Nacl inclusion level which gave 30 % mortality. However, inclusion level of 0.15 g and 0.25g Nacl into snail feed recorded no mortality.It is obvious from this study that NaCl had significant effect on haemocyte count and mortality record of A. marginata without negatively affecting the haemolyme biochemical parameter of GAL. It is therefore recommended that both 0.15 g and 0.25g/kg be included into diet of A. marginata .