Ontogenic changes in the
contents of dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin in larvae and postlarvae
of the bivalve Pecten maximus
C. Cann-Moisan, L. Nicolas, R. Robert-2002
Aquatic Living Resources, 15(5) : 313-318
Abstract:
In the present study, norepinephrine (NE),
epinephrine (E), dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (5HT) have been
quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in Pecten
maximus during larval and post-larval development. With average values
ranging from 2 to 5 pg µg–1 of protein, NE remained
low through the whole larval life, while epinephrine (E) was undetected. DA
and 5HT were the most abundant monoamines with significant variations
between larval, pre-metamorphic and post-larval stages. During the first 20
days, corresponding to D larval and umboned larval stages, levels of DA and
5HT increased from 15 to 30 and 10 to 15 pg µg–1 of
protein, respectively. Then during the last week of larval life, at the
approach of metamorphosis, DA rose sharply from 30 to 50 pg µg–1
of protein and 5HT from 15 to 50 pg µg–1 of protein.
Lastly during the first week of post-larval life (day 27 to day 34) DA and
5HT contents declined to levels similar to those detected in the first days
of larval life reaching progressively 1 pg µg–1 of
protein during the second week of post-larval life (day 34 to day 55). These
rapid and transient variations in monoamine contents (5HT and DA) around
metamorphosis, present a great interest. However, this relation between
neurochemical changes and metamorphosis must be confirmed with future
studies in order to verify if such monoamines might be used as indicators of
larval competence in P. maximus, a commercially important
species.