POTENTIAL FUTURE APPLICATIONS OF SPERMATHECAL EXTRACT FROM THE LAND SNAIL ACHATINA FULICA SPECIALLY IN IMMUNO CONTRACEPTION

Author's Name: Subhasish Bhattacharya, Prof. A. K. Panigrahi and Prof. S. N. Kundu
Subject Area: Life Sciences
Subject Malacology
Section Research Paper

Keyword:

Spermatheca, Snail, contraceptive, immunocontraception


Abstract

Cytrosol fraction of spermatheca and / or ovotestis gland from Giant African Land Snail Achatina Fulica was found to have antifertility and immuno modulatory properties. The present experiment was conducted to explore the biochemical nature and pharmacological properties of cytrosol fraction along with its biochemical effects on the Gonadal system of vertebrates invivo. This glandular extract was analyzed and found to cross react with antisperm antibodies developed in rabbit. The anti serum of the spermathecal extract was found to interfere in the protein synthesis in the testis of Albino mice and causes regression of testis. There was a significant reduction in the protein and DNA content in the testis of extract treated and antisera treated mice compared with the control. The crude extract of the spermatheca gland therefore appear to be inherent with the immuno contraceptory properties, which hypothetically could further be employed for many pathological conditions in general, including immunocontraception in particular.

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