三种饵料对三疣梭子蟹亚成体成活、蜕壳、生长和生化组成的影响

为研究投喂配合饲料、杂鱼和猪肺对三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)亚成体的养殖性能和生化组成的影响,本研究采用单体框养和生化分析方法,以初始体重70 g左右的雌体为研究对象,分析3种饵料对亚成体成活、蜕壳、生长、肝胰腺指数、肌肉指数、常规生化成分、脂肪酸组成的影响。结果显示:(1)3组饵料对成活率影响显著,饲料组高达90%,杂鱼组仅为43%左右,猪肺组居于二者之间;杂鱼组死亡主要由蜕壳死亡综合症(MDS)引起,饲料组和猪肺组无明显蜕壳死亡综合症(MDS)引起的死亡现象;(2)配合饲料组的蜕壳间隔最短,两次蜕壳个体百分比、终体重和特定增长率最高,杂鱼组蜕壳间隔最长,生长情况最差,猪肺组养殖性能居中;(3)尽管配合饲料组的平均肝胰腺指数高于其他两组,但是3个饵料组的肝胰腺指数和肌肉指数均无显著差异;(4)不同饵料对组织中常规生化组成影响显著,杂鱼组肝胰腺和肌肉中水分含量最低,其他成分含量最高,其他两组常规生化组成较为接近;(5)肝胰腺和肌肉中的主要脂肪酸百分含量均受所投喂饵料脂肪酸组成影响显著,杂鱼组组织中高度不饱和脂肪酸(HUFA)含量最高,猪肺组饱和脂肪酸和单不饱和脂肪酸含量最高,但多不饱和脂肪酸含量最低;整体上,杂鱼组蟹对饵料中二十碳五烯酸(EPA)和二十二碳六烯酸(DHA)相对保留率最低,猪肺组蟹最高。综上,配合饲料能够提高三疣梭子蟹亚成体的养殖性能,可以在一定程度上替代广泛使用的杂鱼等冰鲜饵料。     

低盐胁迫对三疣梭子蟹组织中抗氧化酶和 AT P 酶活力的影响

设定半致死低盐试验组(盐度 7)和正常对照组(盐度 28)对三疣梭子蟹进行 48h 的胁迫, 检测半致死盐度胁迫下不同时间点三疣梭子蟹组织中抗氧化酶和 ATP 酶活力的变化。结果显示, 随着低盐处理时间的延长, 三疣梭子蟹肝胰腺、鳃、肌肉中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)活力均呈下降趋势, 极显著低于对照组(P<0.01), 各组织中 SOD、 CAT 活力大小顺序为肌肉 >肝胰腺>鳃; 肝胰腺、鳃中谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶(GPX)、谷胱甘肽转硫酶(GST)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、Na+/K+-ATPase 酶和 Ca2+/Mg2+-ATPase 酶活力也都被抑制, 活力极显著下降(P<0.01); 而对照组在试验期间各组织酶活均较 平稳, 变化不大。试验结论表明 , 当盐度下降剧烈, 超出机体耐受范围时, 三疣梭子蟹生理机能被抑制, 酶活力反而下降。     

三疣梭子蟹软壳硬化阶段肝胰腺的营养成分及脂肪酸组成分析

采用常规营养物质测定方法和气质联用(GC-MS)技术,研究了三疣梭子蟹软壳硬化阶段肝胰腺的基本营养成分和脂肪酸组成。结果发现在其软壳硬化的过程中肝胰腺指数、粗脂肪和灰分含量逐渐降低,而粗蛋白含量趋势相反;表明脂类是主要的能源物质。共检测出42种脂肪酸,其中C16:0(棕榈酸)、C18:1(n-9)(油酸)和C22:6(n-3)(DHA)是主要脂肪酸;蜕壳后0～6 h,单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)在肝胰腺中的含量显著降低(P<0.05),而饱和脂肪酸(SFA)和多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)的含量则均有不同程度的上升;6～48 h,MUFA在肝胰腺中的含量逐渐上升,PUFA的含量则与其相反;SFA在6～24 h时降低,随后升高;∑EPA+DHA在肝胰腺中的含量与∑PUFA的含量变化趋势一致。     

苯并[a]芘暴露对三疣梭子蟹鳃、肝胰腺组织毒理学指标的影响1

本文研究了三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)在对苯并[a]芘(Ba P)富集(15 d)、释放(15 d)过程中其鳃和肝胰腺组织的4种毒理学指标的响应。4种毒理学指标分别为7-乙氧基异吩噁唑酮-脱乙基酶(EROD)、谷胱甘肽硫转移酶(GST)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和脂质过氧化(LPO)。设置了0.05μg/L和0.45μg/L两个实验组以及海水和丙酮对照组。结果显示,在富集阶段,与海水对照组相比,第1天时0.05μg/L和0.45μg/L实验组鳃、肝胰腺组织的各毒理指标均显著受到诱导(P0.05),诱导程度随Ba P暴露浓度的增加而增大。而后鳃、肝胰腺组织的EROD、GST活性以及鳃组织的SOD活性达到峰值后下降,肝胰腺组织的SOD活性以及鳃、肝胰腺组织的丙二醛(MDA)含量则持续增加。鳃组织的EROD、GST、SOD活性到达峰值时间早于肝胰腺组织,其活性以及MDA含量也低于肝胰腺组织。在释放阶段,0.45μg/L实验组鳃组织的SOD活性,0.05μg/L和0.45μg/L两个实验组肝胰腺组织的SOD活性均依然显著高于同期海水对照组水平(P0.05),其余各浓度实验组鳃、肝胰腺组织均能恢复到同期海水对照组水平(P0.05)。实验结果表明,三疣梭子蟹的鳃组织对于Ba P暴露响应时间比肝胰腺组织更早,但均具有一定的恢复能力。     

苯并[a]芘暴露对三疣梭子蟹鳃、肝胰腺组织毒理学指标的影响

本文研究了三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)在对苯并[a]芘(BaP)富集(15 d)、释放(15d)过程中其鳃和肝胰腺组织的4种毒理学指标的响应.4种毒理学指标分别为7-乙氧基异吩噁唑酮-脱乙基酶(EROD)、谷胱甘肽硫转移酶(GST)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和脂质过氧化(LPO).设置了0.05 μg/L和0.45 μg/L两个实验组以及海水和丙酮对照组.结果显示,在富集阶段,与海水对照组相比,第1天时0.05 μg/L和0.45μg/L实验组鳃、肝胰腺组织的各毒理指标均显著受到诱导(P＜0.05),诱导程度随BaP暴露浓度的增加而增大.而后鳃、肝胰腺组织的EROD、GST活性以及鳃组织的SOD活性达到峰值后下降,肝胰腺组织的SOD活性以及鳃、肝胰腺组织的丙二醛(MDA)含量则持续增加.鳃组织的EROD、GST、SOD活性到达峰值时间早于肝胰腺组织,其活性以及MDA含量也低于肝胰腺组织.在释放阶段,0.45pg/L实验组鳃组织的SOD活性,0.05μ-g/L和0.45 μg/L两个实验组肝胰腺组织的SOD活性均依然显著高于同期海水对照组水平(P＜0.05),其余各浓度实验组鳃、肝胰腺组织均能恢复到同期海水对照组水平(P＞ 0.05).实验结果表明,三疣梭子蟹的鳃组织对于BaP暴露响应时间比肝胰腺组织更早,但均具有一定的恢复能力.     

三疣梭子蟹Δ6脂肪酸去饱和酶基因全长cDNA克隆与组织表达

旨在探讨三疣梭子蟹高度不饱和脂肪酸自身合成能力,探究三疣梭子蟹HUFA生物合成途径。采用cDNA末端快速扩增(RACE)技术克隆得到三疣梭子蟹△6去饱和酶cDNA全长序列,并利用荧光定量PCR技术进行肝胰腺、肠道、鳃等8种组织的表达分析。通过分析序列表明,基因序列全长2875bp,其中5'非编码区长465bp,3'非编码区长1078bp,开放阅读框(ORF)长1332bp,编码443个氨基酸;并且编码的蛋白序列具有典型的去饱和酶特性:3个组氨酸保守区,一个N端细胞色素b5结构域以及一个血红素结合的HPGG结构域。荧光定量PCR结果显示,Δ6脂肪酸去饱和酶基因在三疣梭子蟹多个组织中均有表达,在肝胰腺中表达量最高,其次是肠道和肌肉,心脏中表达最少。结果表明三疣梭子蟹具有△6去饱和酶。     

三疣梭子蟹胚胎发育过程中肝胰腺的发生与卵黄物质利用的关系

通过对三疣梭子蟹胚胎进行连续采样和组织切片,系统研究了三疣梭子蟹胚胎发育过程中卵黄囊和肝胰腺的发生与卵黄物质利用的关系。结果表明:(1)三疣梭子蟹胚胎的卵黄岛和卵黄囊结构分别出现在原肠期和无节幼体期,胚胎从原肠期至卵内第一期溞状幼体期,始终存在卵黄岛结构,且卵黄岛中的卵黄物质不断被分解和利用. (2)卵内第二期溞状幼体后,卵黄囊分为两个区域,卵黄囊壁中出现肝胰腺细胞(柱状上皮细胞),此时肝胰腺前体已开始形成,卵黄岛开始融合. (3)卵内第三期溞状幼体阶段,卵黄囊发育成一双肝胰腺,由于肝胰腺中的卵黄物质互相融合,卵黄岛结构消失。此阶段胚胎对卵黄物质的利用加快, 卵黄物质中存在许多空泡状结构;(4)胚胎发育进入孵化前期后,肝胰腺腔内的卵黄物质极少,而初孵溞状幼体肝胰腺腔内卵黄物质已完全消失,肝胰腺为一对囊状结构。这些结果表明在三疣梭子蟹胚胎发育从原肠期到孵化前的过程中,卵黄岛和肝胰腺细胞对于卵黄物质分解和利用起着十分重要的作用。     

三疣梭子蟹软壳蟹肝胰腺的消化酶活力与营养成分分析

通过生化分析、气质联用和液质联用等技术, 系统地研究了三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)软壳蟹肝胰腺的消化酶活力与营养组成。结果表明三疣梭子蟹软壳蟹肝胰腺中粗脂肪的含量最高, 达47.97%, 但脂肪酶活力却最小; 其消化酶活力大小为: 淀粉酶>类胰蛋白酶>脂肪酶, 且各消化酶活力之间差异显著(P<0.05)。共检出38种脂肪酸, 其中饱和脂肪酸(SFA)18 种, 单不饱和脂肪酸(MUFA)8 种, 多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)12 种; 其中SFA的含量最高, 为33.05%, PUFA次之, 占32.45%, MUFA的含量最少, 为28.18%。氨基酸组成中谷氨酸含量居首位, 共检测出29种氨基酸, 包括7种必需氨基酸、2种半必需氨基酸及20中非必需氨基酸; 非必需氨基酸占总氨基酸的比例最高, 为52.77%; 其次为必需氨基酸, 占35.39%; 半必需氨基酸最低, 为11.84%。由此可知, 脂类物质是三疣梭子蟹软壳蟹期间主要的能源物质, 其脂肪酸和氨基酸的种类及含量与硬壳蟹相比存在着一定的差异。     

三疣梭子蟹HMGBa基因克隆及其应答不同病原入侵的表达特征

为研究三疣梭子蟹(Portunus trituberculatus)高迁移率族蛋白B (High-mobility group box protein, HMGB)在其先天免疫中发挥的功能, 利用RACE技术首次克隆得到了三疣梭子蟹HMGBa基因, 命名为PtHMGBa。其cDNA序列全长1030 bp, 其中5′端非编码区(UTR)为94 bp, 3′端非编码区(UTR)为255 bp, 开放阅读框(ORF)为681 bp, 编码一个含有227个氨基酸, 分子量25.82 kD, 理论等电点为5.94的蛋白质。PtHMGBa蛋白包含2个HMG盒结构域和一个酸性尾部结构域。分析表明, 三疣梭子蟹HMGBa氨基酸序列与凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei) HMGBa相似度最高。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示, PtHMGBa基因在血细胞和肝胰腺的表达量最高, 在眼柄中表达量最低。在副溶血弧菌和WSSV感染过程中, PtHMGBa基因在肝胰腺和血细胞中均出现了表达上调。其中, 经副溶血弧菌感染后, 该基因在上述2种组织中分别于48h和6h达到表达量的峰值; 经WSSV感染后, 该基因在2种组织中均在12h达到表达量的峰值。结果表明PtHMGBa基因参与了三疣梭子蟹抵御外来病原的免疫响应, 研究为深入开展三疣梭子蟹和其他甲壳动物的免疫调控机理提供了科学依据。     

三疣梭子蟹PtToll-1受体的原核表达及组织、细胞分布研究

为深入研究三疣梭子蟹Toll受体的功能, 在前期工作的基础上构建了PtToll-1胞外结构域原核表达载体, 并成功获得其重组蛋白。将获得的重组蛋白免疫小鼠获得抗此重组蛋白免疫抗血清用于后续研究。SDS-PAGE结果表明, 体外诱导表达重组蛋白rPtToll-1以包涵体的形式出现在大肠杆菌裂解液的沉淀中, 分子量大小约为87.18 kD; Western-Blot分析表明, 小鼠抗血清能与rPtToll-1特异性结合。利用免疫荧光及细胞免疫化学方法对三疣梭子蟹PtToll-1在消化道、肝胰腺、鳃、心脏和肌肉等组织及血淋巴细胞中的分布进行研究。此外成功构建PtToll-1完整蛋白的真核表达载体pEGFP-N2-PtToll-1, 并转染HEK293T细胞研究其在哺乳动物细胞HEK293中的表达。组织免疫荧光结果显示, PtToll-1在三疣梭子蟹消化道、肝胰腺、鳃、心脏及肌肉等组织中均有分布, 但在鳃及消化道的组织结构中表达较强; 细胞免疫荧光及免疫化学结果均表明PtToll-1主要分布在血淋巴的细胞膜上; 激光共聚焦显微技术观察发现, pEGFP-PtToll-1融合蛋白也主要在HEK-293T细胞膜上表达。研究结果将为三疣梭子蟹Toll受体蛋白的免疫学功能的研究奠定基础。     

An increase of uricogenesis in the Kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus under nitrite stress

Kuruma shrimp Marsupenaeus japonicus Bate, under the stress of 0.36 and 1.39 mM nitrite at 30 per thousand (parts per thousand, g kg(-1)) for 48 h, were examined for nucleotide-related compounds, specific activities of xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH), xanthine oxidase (XOD), and uricase. The levels of total nucleotide-related compounds, including xanthine and hypoxanthine, in the gill increased directly with ambient nitrite, whereas the levels of total nucleotide-related compounds, including xanthine and hypoxanthine, in the hepatopancreas were inversely related to ambient nitrite. Specific activity of XOD in the hepatopancreas increased directly with ambient nitrite, whereas no significant difference in uricase activity in the hepatopancreas was observed among three treatments. In another experiment, M. japonicus, following 48 h exposure to 0.36 and 1.39 mM nitrite, were examined for ammonia, urea, and urate levels in tissues. Hemolymph urea and exoskeleton urate levels increased directly with ambient nitrite, whereas hemolymph urate and exoskeleton urea levels were inversely related to ambient nitrite. It is concluded that M. japonicus exhibited uricogenesis and uricolysis, and an increase of uricogenesis occurred for the shrimp under nitrite stress. Urate produced in the hepatopancreas was transported and accumulated in the epidermis, and removed along with the exoskeleton at the time of molting.     

Analysis of calcium concentration fluctuations in hepatopancreatic R cells of Marsupenaeus japonicus during the molting cycle

In this study we examined the fluctuations of the intracellular calcium concentration in isolated hepatopancreatic R cells during the four molting stages of the prawn Marsupenaeus japonicus. In addition, we used the Fura-2-AM fluorescence technique to investigate the release of calcium from mitochondria and ATP-sensitive calcium stores (endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi, and nucleus) into cytoplasm during the molting cycle. Results demonstrate that both the cytosolic free calcium concentration and the total cell calcium (free, bound to calcium-binding proteins, and stored in amorphous form) in the R cells strictly depend upon the molting cycle. Interestingly, the total cell calcium was higher (approximately 10 mmol l(-1)) in postmolt than in premolt (approximately 1 mmol l(-1)) and intermolt (approximately 0.3 mmol l(-1)). The calcium released from mitochondria was higher during premolt than during postmolt and intermolt, but the amount of calcium released from ATP-sensitive calcium stores was similar during all four stages. All together, our results suggest that the mitochondria-ATP-sensitive calcium stores system does not play a key role in calcium storage during the molting cycle but that it is involved in transcellular calcium flux. We hypothesize that lysosome or membrane-clad concretion vacuoles could represent the main site of calcium storage in hepatopancreatic R cells.     

Metallothionein-like proteins in the blue crab Callinectes sapidus: Effect of water salinity and ions

The effect of water salinity and ions on metallothionein-like proteins (MTLP) concentration was evaluated in the blue crab Callinectes sapidus. MTLP concentration was measured in tissues (hepatopancreas and gills) of crabs acclimated to salinity 30 ppt and abruptly subjected to a hypo-osmotic shock (salinity 2 ppt). It was also measured in isolated gills (anterior and posterior) of crabs acclimated to salinity 30 ppt. Gills were perfused with and incubated in an isosmotic saline solution (ISS) or perfused with ISS and incubated in a hypo-osmotic saline solution (HSS). The effect of each single water ion on gill MTLP concentration was also analyzed in isolated and perfused gills through experiments of ion substitution in the incubation medium. In vivo, MTLP concentration was higher in hepatopancreas than in gills, being not affected by the hypo-osmotic shock. However, MTLP concentration in posterior and anterior gills significantly increased after 2 and 24 h of hypo-osmotic shock, respectively. In vitro, it was also increased when anterior and posterior gills were perfused with ISS and incubated in HSS. In isolated and perfused posterior gills, MTLP concentration was inversely correlated with the calcium concentration in the ISS used to incubate gills. Together, these findings indicate that an increased gill MTLP concentration in low salinity is an adaptive response of the blue crab C. sapidus to the hypo-osmotic stress. This response is mediated, at least in part, by the calcium concentration in the gill bath medium. The data also suggest that the trigger for this increase is purely branchial and not systemic.     

Effects of exposure to diethyl phthalate, 4-(tert)-octylphenol,and 2,4,5-trichlorobiphenyl on activity of chitobiase in the epidermis and hepatopancreas of the fiddler crab,Uca pugilator

Seven-day exposure of fiddler crabs, Uca pugilator, to diethyl phthalate at 50.0 mg l⁻¹ significantly inhibited the activity of chitobiase (also known as N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase) in the epidermis and hepatopancreas. Epidermal chitobiase activity of crabs exposed to 10.0 mg l⁻¹ 4-(tert)-octylphenol for 7 days significantly decreased. PCB29 at 0.5 and 2.0 mg l⁻¹ significantly inhibited chitobiase activity in the epidermis and hepatopancreas of crabs exposed for 3 days. The inhibitory effects rendered by diethyl phthalate and PCB29 can at least partly account for the delayed molting they cause because chitobiase is needed to break down the old exoskeleton of crustaceans prior to ecdysis. Since chitinolytic enzymes are apparently the products of ecdysteroid regulated genes in arthropods, the decline in chitobiase activity after exposure to diethyl phthalate, 4-(tert)-octylphenol, and PCB29 along with the delayed molting they cause strongly suggests that these xenobiotics disturb the Y-organ–ecdysteroid receptor axis. Such disturbance may involve an interaction between ecdysteroid receptors and steroid mimics where the steroid mimics act as antagonists of endogenous steroid molting hormones, and/or arise from the interference with synthesis and excretion of ecdysteroids by these compounds.     

东方对虾蜕皮周期中外表皮对钙、磷、镁和钾的矿化作用

采用原子吸收分光光度法研究了东方对虾在蜕皮过程中,壳、肌肉、肝胰脏和蜕下壳中Ca,P,Mg和K含量的变化。蜕皮间期壳中的各元素含量显著高于蜕皮后矿化期,蜕皮后矿期肝胰脏中的P和K的含量显著高于蜕皮前期。     

Effects of exogenous N-acetylhexosaminidase on the structure and mineralization of the post-ecdysial exoskeleton of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus

A cuticular glycosidase with characteristics of N-acetyl-β- -hexosaminidase (HexNAcase) was identified in post-ecdysial crab cuticle. Its appearance coincided with changes in cuticular glycoproteins and the onset of mineralization. To test if HexNAcase might be the causative agent in the alteration of the glycans and initiation of calcification, newly molted crab cuticle was treated with exogenous HexNAcase. Treating cuticular extracts from crabs at 0 h post-ecdysis with exogenous HexNAcase mimicked those changes observed in vivo. Specifically, the enzyme decreased the concanavalin A affinity of an 83-kDa glycoprotein that binds to calcite crystals in vitro. Treating pieces of 0 h post-ecdysial cuticle with HexNAcase rendered them capable of nucleating calcite in vitro (similar to 5 h post-ecdysial cuticle), while untreated, 0 h controls remained uncalcified. The data imply a role of the cuticular HexNAcase-like enzyme in the initiation of calcite nucleation in the newly formed exoskeleton.     

Effect of Eyestalk-Ablation on Circulating Ecdysteroids in Hemolymph of Snow Crabs, Chionoecetes opilio: Physiological Evidence for a Terminal Molt

Bering Sea snow crabs (Chionoecetes opilio) are a commerciallyimportant crab harvested in the Bering Sea. Optimal managementof this species requires an understanding of the biology ofthis crab that is currently incomplete. Fisheries managers applya continuous growth model in their management of snow crab,which assumes that male crabs increase in size throughout theirlifespan. Male snow crabs undergo a morphometric molt that leadsto a disproportionate increase in chelae size and it is stilldebated whether this molt is associated with a terminal molt.This study was conducted to determine whether adult male C.opilio are anecdysic. Using current knowledge of the hormonalregulation of crustacean growth, snow crab physiology was manipulatedto induce an increase in molting hormones (ecdysteroids). Sincefemale snow crabs are known to undergo a terminal molt afterattaining reproductive maturity, we compared ecdysteroid levelsin eyestalk-ablated terminally molted females, small-clawedmales and large-clawed males. Snow crabs were collected fromthe Bering Sea and maintained in circulating seawater at approximately6°C. Animals were either eyestalk-ablated or left intact.Ecdysteroid levels in hemolymph were quantified using an enzyme-linkedimmunosorbant assay (ELISA). Circulating ecdysteroids were significantlyhigher in small-clawed male crabs when compared to large-clawedmales or terminally molted females. Eyestalk-ablation increasedcirculating ecdysteroids in small-clawed males, but had no significanteffect on circulating ecdysteroids in large-clawed males orin terminally molted females.     

Adaptation of a quantitative programme for the X-ray analysis of solubilized tissue as microdroplets in the transmission electron microscope: application to the moult cycle of the shrimp Crangon crangon (L)

Summary A quantitative programme for X-ray microanalysis is used in a non-standard manner on solubilized tissue which has been spiked with cobalt and sprayed as microdroplets on electron microscope grids. During the procedure the count time and the concentration of cobalt is related to the peak integral and, from the relative efficiences, the concentrations of other elements are computed from the peak integrals. Absorption is taken into account but the X-ray background is not used to estimate the total mass and the beam current is not measured. The method is applied to the hepatopancreas and blood from individual shrimps,Crangon crangon, to give the concentrations of sodium, magnesium, silicon, phosphorus, sulphur, potassium and calcium at different stages of the moult cycle.In the hepatopancreas the absolute and relative quantities of phosphorus, sulphur and other elements change in phase with the moult cycle. This situation must be linked with fluctuations in levels of metabolic activity and may affect the metal-binding capacity of the tissue which is known to fluctuate. The hepatopancreas accumulates lipid and phosphorus during the intermoult period, but the level of phospholipid phosphorus remains as a constant proportion of the tissue wet weight. The gland does not store calcium for hardening the new exoskeleton after ecdysis. Magnesium is a more important and variable component and could be linked with metabolic activity.The blood composition remains more stable. However, sulphur concentration is high and variable and this may, to some extent, reflect changes in the concentration of taurine. The concentration of copper increases towards the end of the moult cycle and decreases during moulting; opposite changes occur in the hepatopancreas.