Temporal Dynamics of Ovotesticular Biochemical Depletion in Semperula maculata under Acute Boric Acid Stress

Abstract

The present study investigates the temporal effects of acute boric acid exposure on the biochemical composition of the ovotestis in the terrestrial slug Semperula maculata. The experiment revealed significant depletion in glycogen, lipid, and protein contents under lethal concentration exposure over varying time durations. These findings provide insight into the toxicological impact of boric acid and highlight the ovotestis as a sensitive biomarker organ under chemical stress. The results contribute to understanding the reproductive toxicity mechanisms in pulmonate gastropods.

This study evaluates the impact of acute boric acid exposure on the ovotestis of the terrestrial slug Semperula maculata, with emphasis on temporal alterations in key biochemical constituents. Experimental slugs exposed to a lethal concentration (LC₅₀ = 5459.45 ppm) of boric acid for 24–96 hours showed a progressive decline in protein, glycogen, and lipid levels compared to controls. Protein concentration decreased sharply from 6.53 mg/100 mg at 24 hours to 1.14 mg/100 mg at 96 hours, while glycogen and lipid contents followed a similar depletion trend. These results indicate that boric acid stress induces enhanced metabolic mobilization of organic reserves, likely triggered by oxidative stress and cytotoxic damage. The findings highlight the ovotestis as a highly sensitive biomarker organ for reproductive toxicity assessment in pulmonate gastropods. Overall, this work contributes to understanding the biochemical mechanisms underlying molluscan responses to xenobiotic stress and supports the use of S. maculata as a potential bioindicator species for ecotoxicological evaluations.