Nitrate is a common pollutant in many rivers and streams throughout the United States. In an earlier study, we reported extreme aggressive behavioral changes in crayfish (<i>Procambarus clarkii</i>) exposed to increasing concentrations of nitrate. Similar behavioral changes have been correlated with the production of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (cHH), a secondary stress response neuropeptide hormone. The release of glucose into the crayfish hemolymph accompanies the production of cHH. 144 red swamp crayfish, separated into four subgroups, were treated with incremental amounts of nitrate in each subgroup for a period of 48 hours. Hemolymph was collected from 12 individuals after every 12 hours of exposure. Hemolymph samples were deproteinated to less than 3kDa by centrifugal ultrafiltration and the glucose was measured utilizing ligand-exchange HPLC coupled with ELSD detection. Results of nitrate-induced chemical stress indicate that the effect of concentration and time of exposure were statistically significant compared to controls. Gender and length were also statistically significant factors. Nitrate accumulation in the hemolymph was directly related to the concentrations of nitrate in the incubation pools. We propose that accumulation of nitrate activates cHH production which releases glucose into the hemolymph, thus altering the organisms’ behavior.

Effect of nitrate on the release of glucose into the hemolymph of crayfish <i>Procambarus clarkii</i>

251st National Meeting (2016)

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Effect of nitrate on the release of glucose into the hemolymph of crayfish Procambarus clarkii