In this study we evaluated the effects of the probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici MA18/5M on shrimp, Litopenaeus stylirostris (also called Penaeus stylirostris), first on antioxidant defences and secondly on the oxidative stress status in the shrimps' haemolymph and digestive gland. We conducted two experiments with the same protocol in which shrimps were fed two diets for three weeks: a control...

BACKGROUND: Several sawfly larvae of the Tenthredinidae (Hymenoptera) are called easy bleeders because their whole body integument, except the head capsule, disrupts very easily at a given spot, under a slight mechanical stress at this spot. The exuding haemolymph droplet acts as a feeding deterrent towards invertebrate predators. The present study aimed to describe the cuticle surface, to cons...

Selenium, because of its affinity for SH/SS, thiol group, offers protection against or detoxifies mercury in marine vertebrates. This study explores the possibility of a similar effect for a marine invertebrate. Arcid blood clams Anadara granosa (L.) with erythrocytic haemoglob~n were exposed to sublethal concentrations of ~ g ' + (0.1 mg I-', as HgCI2), Se4+ (1.0 mg I' , SeO?) and reduced glut...

After acclimation, Carcinus can maintain calcium balance in dilute (35-100%) but not in low calcium sea water. 71% of total haemolymph calcium (9-54 +/- 0-42 mM) was in ionic form as compared with 90-9%(9-9mM) in sea water. On acclimation to dilute sea water the calcium activity of the haemolymph was greater than that of the medium, the difference being maintained by active calcium uptake. Carc...

The effects of azadiraehtin A , given oral ly, on the reproduct ion of mature females of Rhodnius prolixus were studied. Azadiraeht in A caused a reduction in oocyte growth and consequently in the egg product ion in a dose-dependent manner. Eggs layed had no alteration in their viabil it ies. A significant correlat ion between these effects and the titers of both vi tel logenin in the haemolymp...

This study examined the effects of an acoustic stimulus on the haemolymph and agonistic behaviour of the red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii. The experiment was conducted in a tank equipped with a video recording system using six groups (three control and three test groups) of five adult crayfish (30 specimens in total). After 1 h of habituation, the behaviour of the crayfish was monitored ...