Blood glucose regulation in an intertidal crab, Chasmagnathus granulata (Dana, 1851)

Abstract

1. 1. Blood glucose regulation was investigated in an intertidal crab from south Brazil, Chasmagnathus granulata. 2. 2. There is no significant difference ( P > 0.05) between blood glucose levels of males and females, ♂ 1.80 ± 0.56 mg/100 ml, ♀ 2.16 ± 0.56 . 3. 3. There is no significant difference ( P > 0.05) between blood glucose levels of normal and eyestalkless males until 96 hr after eyestalk ablation. 4. 4. There is a transitory but large increase in blood glucose levels of animals exposed to atmospheric air, the highest values being reached 1 hr after this exposure; 17.04 mg/100 ml. 5. 5. Handling and alien environment produce only a small increase in blood glucose levels of normal animals. 6. 6. There is a significant increase ( P < 0.05) of crustacean hyperglycemie hormone (CHH) content in the eyestalks of animals exposed to atmospheric air for 1 hr, suggesting a higher rate of its synthesis during this period. 7. 7. Since the CHH seems to increase blood glucose by decreasing its utilization by the tissues and since there is a decrease in oxygen consumption in C. granulata exposed to atmospheric air, it is quite possible that this hormone is involved in the lack of the Pasteur effect, usually observed in facultative anaerobes.