Gene Expression of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Receptors in Some of the Reproductive Organs of Giant African Land Snail (Archachatina marginata)

The role of receptors in the exertion of the hormonal effect on their target cell creates a better understanding of the mechanism of action of hormones. In the snail, Archachatina marginata, there is a dearth of information on the gene expression of FSH and LH receptors. This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of exogenous administration of gonadotropin (PMSG) and some sex steroid hormones (Progesterone (P4) and 17β-Oestradiol (E2)) on the levels of gene expression of FSH and LH in some selected reproductive organs of Archachatina marginata. The experiment was laid out in 4x3x2 factorial design in Completely Randomised Design comprising of 432 snails randomly allotted to 24 treatment groups of 18 snails per group of Control, P4, E2 and PMSG at 3 dosage levels (Low-1 µg/ml, Medium-5 µg/ml and High-10 µg/ml for P4 and E2; and Low-1 IU/ml, Medium-10 IU/ml and High-20 IU/ml for PMSG) at 2 durations of injections (16-days of four injections and 32-days of eight injections). The gel viewed under the ultra-violet light source showed that the expression of LHR receptor did not appear in all the organs considered. However, FSHR receptor was noted in their appearance in the albumen gland, little hermaphrodite duct, common hermaphrodite duct and vagina of A. marginata. Administration of E2 of 5 µg/ml for 16 days and 32 days increase the gene expression of FSH receptors in the common hermaphrodite duct and vagina of A. marginata respectively. Also, injections of 5 µg/ml of P4 for 16 days gave a relative increase in the levels of expression of FSH receptors in the little hermaphrodite duct, while the highest level was on the albumen of snails injected with 1 µg/ml of E2 for 32-days of eight injections. Injection of 5 µl/ml of P4 for 16-days of four injections, 5 µl/ml of E2 for 32-days of eight injections, 5 µl/ml of E2 for 16-days of four injections, 1 µl/ml of E2 of 32-days of eight injections increased the gene expression of FSH in the little hermaphrodite duct, vagina, common hermaphrodite duct and albumen respectively. Therefore, it is informed here that administration of P4, E2 and PMSG exogenously to A. marginata of reproductive age induces an increase in the levels of gene expression of FSH receptors.