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Acid‐base balance and hemolymph gas status in postprandial red rock crabs, Cancer productus, during emersion
Author(s) -
McGaw Iain James,
Curtis Daniel L,
Goss Greg C
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.2_supplement.103
Subject(s) - hemolymph , postprandial , pco2 , acid–base homeostasis , biology , zoology , ammonia , food science , biochemistry , medicine , endocrinology , insulin
The acid‐base balance and hemolymph gas status (pH, PO 2 , PCO 2 , CCO 2 , lactate, ammonia) were followed in unfed and 12h postprandial red rock crabs. Crabs were subjected to either 6h of aerial exposure followed by 6h re&immersion or 24h aerial exposure. Hemolymph samples were collected anaerobically and variables measured using a blood&gas meter. Hemolymph lactate and ammonia levels were determined photometrically. During 6h of aerial exposure there was a decrease in hemolymph PO 2 and pH with concurrent increases in PCO 2 , CCO 2 and hemolymph lactate and ammonia. Despite a trend towards increased levels during emersion and a slower recovery during re&immersion in postprandial crabs, no significance could be demonstrated. During 24h of aerial exposure hemolymph oxygen levels were quickly exhausted resulting in an increased PCO 2 and a corresponding increase in CCO 2 . Increases in CO 2 were accompanied by increases in hemolymph lactate and ammonia and in a decrease in pH. These differences were more pronounced in the postprandial animals. Although red rock crabs can halt mechanical digestion during emersion, once they have digested the meal and intracellular protein synthesis is underway, the present results suggest that they are committed to these cellular processes. This leads to a greater build&up of metabolites, resulting in a faster mortality rate for postprandial animals during emersion. Support NSF IBN 0313765.