Haemolymph metabolic variables in relation to eyestalk ablation and
gonad development of Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei Boone
G.F.
Arcos, A.M. Ibarra, C. Vazquez-Boucard, E. Palacios, I.S. Racotta-2003
Aquaculture
Research, 34(9):
749
Abstract:
The
present study analyses some biochemical variables in haemolymph proposed as
predictive indicators of the maturation capability following eyestalk
ablation. Haemolymph of captive females was obtained before and 8 days after
eyestalk ablation, and levels of haemocyanin, total proteins, glucose,
lactate, cholesterol, triacylglycerides and vitellogenin were determined.
Biochemical variables were also analysed in the hepatopancreas at the end of
the experiment. Females were grouped as immature (previtellogenic stage) and
mature (vitellogenic and cortical stages) based on histological analysis
done 8 days after eyestalk ablation. To analyse haemolymph variables before
eyestalk ablation in relation to maturation capability, immature females
were classified as those with a low maturation capability and mature females
as those with a high maturation capability. Females of high maturation
capability had significantly higher vitellogenin levels before eyestalk
ablation than females of low maturation capability. No significant
differences were found for the other biochemical variables. Vitellogenin was
also higher in mature than in immature females at the end of the experiment.
These results indicate that vitellogenin levels in haemolymph could be used
as possible predictive criteria of maturation capability, possibly because
they reflect the degree of ovarian development at the time of eyestalk
ablation.
(Programa de Acuicultura, Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del
Noroeste, Mar Bermejo 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita, Apdo Postal 128, La
Paz, Baja California Sur CP 23000, México. E-mail of I.S. Racotta: iracotta@cibnor.mx)