Abstract |
The effects of a dinoflagellate parasite (Hematodinium sp.) on carbohydrate metabolism were examined in the Norway lobster, Nephrops norvegicus. Five stages of infection were observed. These included uninfected (Stage 0), subpatently infected (SP), and patently infected (Stage 1-4) lobsters. During patent infection, the concentration of glucose in the hemolymph was reduced significantly from its value of 180 microg ml(-1) in uninfected (Stage 0) lobsters to 25.3 microg ml(-1) in Stage 3-4. These changes were accompanied by significantly lower levels of hepatopancreatic glycogen in lobsters at Stage 2 (2.01 mg g(-1)) and Stage 3-4 (0.84 mg g(-1)) of infection than in those at Stage 0 (16.19 mg g(-1)) and Stage 1 (14.71 mg g(-1)). Due to disruption of the normal feedback loops which control the release of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH), plasma concentrations increased with the severity of infection from 32.2 fmol ml(-1) in Stage 0 to 106.6 fmol ml(-1) in Stage 3-4. The increased CHH concentrations occurred concomitantly with reduced concentrations of plasma glucose and tissue glycogen. A significantly increased hemolymph CHH titer (107.7 fmol ml(-1)) was also observed during SP infection. It is concluded that the parasite places a heavy metabolic load on the host lobster.
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Authors | G D Stentiford, E S Chang, S A Chang, D M Neil |
Journal | General and comparative endocrinology
(Gen Comp Endocrinol)
Vol. 121
Issue 1
Pg. 13-22
(Jan 2001)
ISSN: 0016-6480 [Print] United States |
PMID | 11161766
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)
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Copyright | Copyright 2001 Academic Press. |
Chemical References |
- Arthropod Proteins
- Blood Glucose
- Carbohydrates
- Invertebrate Hormones
- Nerve Tissue Proteins
- hyperglycemic hormone, crustacean
- Glycogen
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Topics |
- Animal Diseases
(parasitology)
- Animals
- Arthropod Proteins
- Blood Glucose
(analysis)
- Carbohydrates
(blood)
- Digestive System
(chemistry)
- Feedback
- Glycogen
(analysis)
- Hemolymph
(chemistry)
- Invertebrate Hormones
- Nephropidae
(metabolism, parasitology)
- Nerve Tissue Proteins
(blood)
- Norway
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