Ultraviolet B radiation affects epithelial cell morphology and ultrastructure in the hepatopancreas of the freshwater decapod Macrobrachium olfersii.

The hepatopancreas is the digestive organ of crustaceans, and plays important roles also in the synthesis and secretion of sexual hormones, immunological defenses and xenobiotic detoxification. Although the importance of this organ in crustaceans cannot be underestimated, the effects of ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation on hepatopancreas are poorly understood. Moreover, Macrobrachium prawns, have a transparent carapace, which make them more susceptible to UVB radiation, since their internal organs, such as hepatopancreas, are easily reached by solar radiation. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate UVB radiation toxicity on the morphology and morphometry of hepatopancreatic epithelial cells, and to investigate these UVB effects in subcellular compartments of the ecologically-important freshwater decapod, Macrobrachium olfersii. Hepatopancreas from the UVB-irradiated group showed a granular cytoplasm, with non-defined cell limits. Morphometric analyses revealed that the UVB-irradiated group exhibited a higher frequency of fibrillar (F-cell), resorptive (R-cell) and midget (M-cell), and decreased the blister-like (B-cell). It was also observed increased vacuole frequencies and increased F-, B- and R-cell volumes in the UVB-irradiated group. In addition, it was observed increased B-cell vacuolar volumes and decreased R-cell vacuolar volumes. Ultrastructural alterations occurred in subcellular compartments in F- and R-cells, e.g. loss of mitochondrial crests, morphologically compatible with mitochondrial fission, rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae dilation, dilation of Golgi lamellar sacs, and increased vacuole and concentric membrane formation in the UVB-irradiated group. Our data showed that the hepatopancreas is an important target of UVB radiation, as demonstrated by a series of organ-specific morphological and morphometric impairments. Therefore, cell damage caused by UVB radiation can compromise metabolic functions in epithelial cells from the hepatopancreas, potentially affecting absorption, secretion and digestion processes, vitellogenin synthesis, immune responses and xenobiotic detoxification.

Photoperiod affects gamete production, and protein and lipid metabolism in male narrow-clawed Crayfish Pontastacus leptodactylus (Eschscholtz, 1823).

Understanding effects of photoperiod on the reproductive efficiency and physiological responses of Pontastacus leptodactylus is important for successful management of the crayfish hatcheries. Spermatozoal number, gonado-somatic index (GSI), hepatosomatic index (HSI), testicular index (TI), vas deferens index (VDI), and total protein, amino and fatty acid profiles of the hepatopancreas were evaluated in male narrow-clawed crayfish P. leptodactylus. Animals (30-70 g) were maintained utilizing five different photoperiodic regimens (3 L:21D, 6L:18D, 24 L:0D, 0L:24D, and natural photoperiod (9 L:15D)) for 5 weeks. Different photoperiods affected spermatozoal number, GSI, and total protein, amino acid and fatty acid profiles of the hepatopancreas (P < 0.05). The greatest spermatozoal number and GSI were recorded in darkness (P < 0.05). There was the least spermatozoal number (3.5 × 106 ± 0.5) and GSI (2 ± 0.1%) when imposing the 9 L and 24 L photoperiodic regimens, respectively. In addition, maintenance in constant light as compared with other lighting regimens resulted in a greater total protein (43.68 ± 4.83 mg/g), phenylalanine (7.23 ± 0.35%), and total single unsaturated fatty acids (ΣMUFA) (48.07 ± 2.30%), but lesser total polyunsaturated fatty acids (ΣPUFA) (23.36 ± 1.07%), serine (1.53 ± 0.02%), Σn-6 (11.24 ± 1.18%), 20:4 (n-6) (2.7 ± 0.14%), and 20:2 (0.67 ± 0.17%) contents in the hepatopancreas (P < 0.05). The results of the present study indicate total darkness increases the spermatozoal production and imposing longer dark periods improved the reproductive efficiency and physical conditions in male P. leptodactylus.

Morphological and histological studies on freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de man) irradiated with (60)Co gamma radiation.

This study was framed to investigate the (60)Co gamma radiation induced morphological and histological variations in freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii. The LD50 value of (60)Co gamma irradiated M. rosenbergii observed (by probit analysis) at 30 Gy. Prawns were irradiated to four different dose levels (3 mGy, 30 mGy, 300 mGy and 3,000 mGy) using Theratron Phoenix TeleCobalt Unit [P-33] and one control group (without irradiation) maintained separately. Irradiated groups exhibited several morphological variations such as discoloration; damaged rostrum; opaque coloration in cephalothorax; black bands and dot formation in abdomen; deformed uropods and telson in tail regions when compared with control group. The Hepato Somatic Index reflected the severity of radiation on hepatopancreas. Histological variations in gills, hepatopancreas and muscles of irradiated groups were observed. In gills, structural changes such as swollen and fused lamellae, abnormal gill tips, hyperplasic, necrotic and clavate-globate lamellae were observed in gamma irradiated prawns. Accumulation of hemocytes in hemocoelic space, interstitial sinuses filled with abnormal infiltrated hemocytes, the tubular epithelium with ruptured basal laminae, abnormal and coagulated lumen, necrotic tubules, thickened basal laminae, tissue debris, necrotic hepatocytes were observed in irradiated prawn hepatopancreas. In muscle, shrinkage of muscular fiber and necrotic musculature were observed in irradiated prawns. These structural alterations of the organs it is felt could affect the vital physiological functions such as respiration, osmotic and ionic regulation in gills and muscles; absorption, storage and secretion of the hepatopancreas which in turn could adversely affect the growth and survival of freshwater prawn M. rosenbergii.