The Influence of Epistylis sp. on Osmotic, Ionic, and Respiratory Physiology of the Giant Freshwater Prawn, "Macrobrachium rosenbergii" in the Terminal-growth Stage

Differences in osmolality, ion concentrations, and respiratory metabolism of the hemolymph were investigated in terminal-growth male and other morphotypes of healthy prawn, including males of orangeclaw and blue-claw, and females of the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii. In addition, gill-injured prawns were also used to analyze those same parameters in this study. No significant differences in hemolymph osmolality, ion levels, or respiratory metabolism among blue-claw males, orange-claw males, and females were found. Hemolymph osmolality, chloride, potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium concentrations in terminal-growth males were significant lower than in other types of prawn. Significantly lower oxyhemocyanin and protein, and significantly higher hemolymph pH and PCO2 in terminal-growth males were found compared to other types of prawn. Insignificant differences in the ratio of oxyhemocyanin and protein, and in hemolymph PO2 among terminal-growth males and other types of prawn were recorded. Histopathological lesions in gills of terminal-growth males caused by an Epistylis sp. infestation and impurities covering the gills were found, that may have involved interference with gas exchange, hemolymph osmolality, and ion regulation. Prawns with partially injured gills had significantly decreased regulation of osmolality and ions in the hemolymph, but no significant change in respiratory metabolism compared to control prawn. Prawn gills are considered the main tissuefor hemolymph osmolality and ion regulation because hemolymph osmolality and ion levels of prawn decreased when gills of prawn were partially injured. However, respiratory metabolism was compensated for by normal gills in prawns with partially injured gills. The information obtained from this study adds to knowledge of prawn pathophysiology and may give a clearer profile of changes in hemolymph osmolality, ion concentrations, and respiratory metabolism caused by gill injury.

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