Ultrastructural and histological study of degenerative changes in the antennal glands, hepatopancreas, and midgut of grass shrimp exposed to two dithiocarbamate biocides

The histological and ultrastructural alterations observed in the antennal glands, hepatopancreas, and midgut of grass shrimp exposed to either a 50% potassium dimethyldithiocarbamate biocide (Busan-85; 5–60 ppb) for 14 days, or to a different biocide, composed of 15% sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate and 15% disodium ethylene bisdithiocarbamate (Aquatreat DNM-30), for 3–4 days (60–140 ppb) and 28–35 days (40–120 ppb), were compared and contrasted with the normal morphological features in control shrimp. Only those experimental shrimp that exhibited various degrees of branchial abnormality were examined. Although the alterations in Busan-exposed shrimp were generally more pronounced, the antennal glands of 32 out of 36 experimental shrimp exhibited abnormalities that were manifested primarily as increased secretory activity by the labyrinth cells. In dithiocarbamate-exposed shrimp with “black gills”, the labyrinth epithelium exhibited moderate nuclear hypertrophy, apparent cell sloughing, intense secretory activity, and occasional melanized lesions; alterations in the antennal gland coelomosac included nuclear pyknosis, a general deterioration of podocyte organization, and an unusual increase in hemolymph density adjacent to affected tissues. Although there was an apparent increase in mitotic activity in the hepatopancreatic tubules of shrimp exposed to Aquatreat for 28–35 days, degenerative changes were most frequent and extensive in the hepatopancreas and midgut of dithiocarbamate-exposed shrimp with “black gills”. These observed changes included the diminution of the basal midgut and hepatopancreatic tubular system, moderate midgut hypertrophy, pronounced activity by the hepatopancreatic fixed phagocytes, development of mitochondrial inclusions and megamitochondria, loss of cytoplasmic density, hepatopancreatic nuclear pyknosis, and irreversible degeneration of hepatopancreatic tubule apices. This study suggests that some of the observed abnormal/pathological changes are the indirect consequence of branchial degeneration. A number of possible defensive reactions to dithiocarbamate poisoning, including heterostasis, phagocytosis, encapsulation, and the possible participation of reserve inclusion cells are proposed.     

Histopathological Changes Associated with Shell Disease in the Red King Crab <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paralithodes camtschaticus</Emphasis> (Tilesius, 1815)

Histopathological changes have been revealed associated with shell disease in the red king crab, Paralithodes camtschaticus. The changes in the gills, esophagus, stomach, hepatopancreas, heart, and antennal glands of the crabs are described.     

The uptake and storage of iron and lead in cells of the crayfish (Orconectes propinquus) hepatopancreas and antennal gland

The heavy metals iron and lead are taken up and metabolized in a similar manner by the crayfish hepatopancreas, but only lead appears to enter cells of the antennal gland (green gland). Iron, on the other hand, which apparently is not taken up by the antennal gland cells following systemic injections of low doses (0.05 mg), exerts striking alterations in cell ultrastructure after pericardial injections of massive doses (0.5 mg). Electron microscopic examination and atomic absorption spectrophotometric analyses of the hepatopancreas and antennal glands of iron-injected crayfish revealed that iron was selectively stored in metal-containing vacuoles of R- and F-cells in the hepatopancreatic cells, where it accumulated in concentrations that were toxic to these cells. High doses of iron caused alterations in the ultrastructural morphology of the cells of the antennal glands, although no accumulation of iron was apparent. Lead was similarly stored in metal-containing vacuoles of the cells of the hepatopancreas of lead-injected crayfish, but also accumulated in high concentrations (prior to being excreted) in vacuoles, cytoplasmic bodies and vesicles in the cells of the antennal gland. In contrast, lead in high concentrations was relatively non-toxic to any of these cells, suggesting that crayfish were more efficient in detoxifying and eliminating lead than iron.     

Haemocyte reactions in WSSV immersion infected Penaeus monodon

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) has been a major cause of shrimp mortality in aquaculture worldwide in the past decades. In this study, WSSV infection (by immersion) and behaviour recruitment of haemocytes is investigated in gills and midgut, using an antiserum against the viral protein VP28 and a monoclonal antibody recognising haemocytes (WSH8) in a double immunohistochemical staining and in addition transmission electron microscopy was applied. More WSH 8(+) haemocytes were detected at 48 and 72 h post-infection in the gills of infected shrimp compared to uninfected animals. Haemocytes in the gills and midgut were not associated with VP28-immunoreactivity. In the gills many other cells showed virus replication in their nuclei, while infected nuclei in the gut cells were rare. Nevertheless, the epithelial cells in the midgut showed a clear uptake of VP28 and accumulation in supranuclear vacuoles (SNV) at 8h post-infection. However, epithelial nuclei were never VP28-immunoreactive and electron microscopy study suggests degradation of viral-like particles in the SNV. In contrast to the gills, the midgut connective tissue shows a clear increase in degranulation of haemocytes, resulting in the appearance of WSH8-immunoreactive thread-like material at 48 and 72 h post-infection. These results indicate recruitment of haemocytes upon immersion infection in the gills and degranulation of haemocytes in less infected organs, like the midgut.     

Dietary copper absorption and excretion in three semi-terrestrial grapsoid crabs with different levels of terrestrial adaptation

Three species of phylogenetically related semi-terrestrial crabs (Superfamily Grapsoidea--Sesarma rectum, Goniopsis cruentata and Neohelice granulata (formerly: Chasmagnathus granulatus) with different degrees of terrestriality were studied to quantify the accumulation of copper (Cu) in hemolymph, gills, hepatopancreas and antennal gland, and its excretion through the faeces. These crabs were fed for 15 days practical diets containing 0 (A), 0.5 (B), 1.0 (C), and 1.5% (D) of added CuCl2 (corresponding to 0, 0.2, 0.5 and 0.7% of Cu2+, respectively). The amount of food ingested was directly proportional to the degree of terrestriality: S. rectum, the most terrestrial species, ate around 2-3 times more than the other crabs, whereas G. cruentata ate 1.5-2 times more than N. granulata, the least terrestrial. The amount of Cu excreted in the feces was proportional to Cu ingestion, and was 76.8% and 64.2% higher for Sesarma fed diet D compared to G. cruentata and N. granulata, respectively. Sesarma also displayed higher Cu concentration in the haemolymph, gills and antennal glands, but not in the hepatopancreas. A detoxifying mechanism followed by elimination was probably present at this last organ, preventing Cu accumulation. More terrestrial crabs, such as Sesarma, may accumulate more Cu in hemolymph and tissues, showing a correlation between metal accumulation and increased terrestriality. In this aspect, contaminated feed sources with Cu may have more impact in conservation of terrestrial crabs.     

The effect of dietary Panax ginseng polysaccharide extract on the immune responses in white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

The immunostimulatory effects of orally administered Panax ginseng root or its polysaccharides (GSP) in white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, were investigated in this study. Shrimp were fed a diet containing 0.4 g kg^?1 GSP over a period of 84 days, during which the activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), acid phosphatase (ACP), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP), as well as malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and expressions of cytosolic superoxide dismutase (cyt-SOD), CAT, GSH-Px, and peroxiredoxin (Prx) genes were determined in various tissues of the shrimp. Results showed that the shrimp fed the GSP diet had significantly increased ACP and AKP activities in the gills. The GSP-fed shrimp also displayed significantly increased T-SOD and GSH-Px activities in the gills and hepatopancreas of the shrimp; meanwhile there was enhanced CAT activity in the gills, but decreased MDA content in the gills, hepatopancreas and muscle. The mRNA expressions of cyt-SOD, CAT, GSH-Px and Prx were significantly elevated in the gills and hepatopancreas of the shrimp fed the GSP diet for 84 days, compared with that of the control. Therefore, GSP can be used as an immunostimulant for shrimp through dietary administration to increase immune enzyme activity and modify expression of immune genes in shrimp.     

饲料中铜水平对凡纳滨对虾免疫相关基因表达和抗菌能力的影响

在饲料中添加0、30和50 mg Cu/kg饲料的蛋氨酸铜,投喂凡纳滨对虾(Litopenaeus vannamei)7、14和21d,检测对虾体组织铜蓄积、免疫相关基因(Toll受体mRNA和溶菌酶mRNA)表达水平和免疫抗菌能力的变化。结果表明:凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺铜含量随着饲料蛋氨酸铜添加量增加及投喂时间延长而显著增加(P0.05);对虾肌肉的铜含量显著低于肝胰腺的铜含量。饲料中铜水平对凡纳滨对虾肌肉、血淋巴及肝胰腺中溶菌酶活性无显著影响(P0.05)。对虾组织SOD活性因饲料中铜水平和投喂时间变化显著,添加30 mgCu/kg组对虾肌肉、血淋巴和肝胰腺中SOD活性在第21天时显著高于其他两组(P0.05)。饲料中铜水平对凡纳滨对虾鳃组织中溶菌酶mRNA表达水平无显著影响,但显著影响鳃组织Toll受体mRNA表达水平(P0.05)。第7天时凡纳滨对虾Toll受体mRNA表达水平随着饲料铜水平升高而显著升高(P0.05);第14和第21天时,Toll受体mRNA表达水平在摄食添加30 mg Cu/kg组最高。人工急性感染溶藻弧菌(Vibrioalginolyticus)实验表明,第7天时,摄食添加50 mg Cu/kg组凡纳滨对虾全致死时间和半致死时间长于未添加铜组和添加30 mgCu/kg组,但在第14天,摄食添加30 mg Cu/kg组的全致死时间和半致死时间最长。研究表明饲料铜添加水平不但影响组织中铜的蓄积,还影响凡纳滨对虾SOD活性和Toll受体mRNA表达水平,从而影响机体的抗弧菌能力。     

Sublethal Effect of Copper Toxicity Against Histopathological Changes in the Spiny Lobster, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Panulirus homarus</Emphasis> (Linnaeus, 1758)

The tissue damage induced by various organic pollutants in aquatic animals is well documented, but there is a dearth of information relating to the histological alterations induced by copper in the spiny lobster. In the present study, intermoult juveniles of the spiny lobster Panulirus homarus (average weight 150–200 g) were exposed to two sublethal concentrations of the copper (9.55 and 19.1 μg/l) for a period of 28 days. The muscle, hepatopancreas, midgut, gills, thoracic ganglion and heart of the lobsters were then dissected out and processed for light microscopic studies. Exposure to copper was found to result in several alterations in the histoarchitecture of the muscle, hepatopancreas, midgut, gills, thoracic ganglion and heart of P. homarus. The alterations included disruption and congestion of muscle bundle in muscle tissue; blackened haemocytes; distended lumen and F cell; necrosis of the tubules of the hepatopancreas; disarrangement of circular muscle of the midgut; accumulation of haemocytes in the haemocoelic space; swelling and fusion of lamellae; abnormal gill tips; hyperplastic, necrotic, and blackened secondary gill lamellae of the gills; damaged neurosecretory cell and sensory and motor fibre; necrotic of the thoracic ganglion; dispersedly arranged muscle bands; clumped satellite cells and nucleus of the heart. The results obtained suggest that the muscle, hepatopancreas, midgut, gills, thoracic ganglion and heart of lobsters exposed to copper were structurally altered. Such alterations could affect vital physiological functions, such as absorption, storage and secretion of the hepatopancreas, digestion of gut and respiration, osmotic and ionic regulations of the gills, which in turn could ultimately affect the survival and growth of P. homarus. Thus, all possible remedial measures should be adopted to prevent the occurrence of copper contamination in the aquatic environment.     

Pathogenesis of a Thai strain of white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) in juvenile, specific pathogen-free Litopenaeus vannamei

White spot syndrome virus (WSSV) causes disease and mortality in cultured and wild shrimp. A standardized WSSV oral inoculation procedure was used in specific pathogen-free (SPF) Litopenaeus vannamei (also called Penaeus vannamei) to determine the primary sites of replication (portal of entry), to analyze the viral spread and to propose the cause of death. Shrimp were inoculated orally with a low (10(1.5) shrimp infectious dose 50% endpoint [SID50]) or a high (10(4) SID50) dose. Per dose, 6 shrimp were collected at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48 and 60 h post inoculation (hpi). WSSV-infected cells were located in tissues by immunohistochemistry and in hemolymph by indirect immunofluorescence. Cell-free hemolymph was examined for WSSV DNA using 1-step PCR. Tissues and cell-free hemolymph were first positive at 18 hpi (low dose) or at 12 hpi (high dose). With the 2 doses, primary replication was found in cells of the foregut and gills. The antennal gland was an additional primary replication site at the high dose. WSSV-infected cells were found in the hemolymph starting from 36 hpi. At 60 hpi, the percentage of WSSV-infected cells was 36 for the epithelial cells of the foregut and 27 for the epithelial cells of the integument; the number of WSSV-infected cells per mm2 was 98 for the gills, 26 for the antennal gland, 78 for the hematopoietic tissue and 49 for the lymphoid organ. Areas of necrosis were observed in infected tissues starting from 48 hpi (low dose) or 36 hpi (high dose). Since the foregut, gills, antennal gland and integument are essential for the maintenance of shrimp homeostasis, it is likely that WSSV infection leads to death due to their dysfunction.     

Cuticular lesions induced in grass shrimp exposed to hexavalent chromium

Adult grass shrimp were exposed to four concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 ppm) of hexavalent chromium for 28 days. At the end of the exposure period, over 50% of the surviving shrimp possessed cuticular lesions that had many of the gross characteristics of “shell disease.” These lesions were usually associated with articulations of the appendages and abdomen. Furthermore, it was found that at increasing levels of chromium exposure, there was a proportionate increase in the loss of limbs such that nearly 50% of the limbs were lost in grass shrimp exposed to the highest test concentration of chromium. Histological and ultrastructural examination of numerous lesions demonstrated a range of degenerative features within the subcuticular epithelium that included cytoplasmic vacuolization, mitochondrial swelling, chromatin emargination, and the presence of unusual nuclear inclusions that appear to indicate direct chromium toxicity. Additionally, a marked retardation in new epicuticle and exocuticle formation was observed in viable tissues associated with lesions in late premolt shrimp. It is proposed that chromium interferes with the normal functions of subcuticular epithelium, particularly cuticle formation, and subsequently causes structural weaknesses or perforations to develop in the cuticle of newly moted shrimp. Because of these chromium-induced exoskeletal deficiencies, a viaduct for pathogenic organisms (e.g., bacteria) and direct chromium influx is formed that perpetuates lesion development.     

Clearing mechanisms of Vibrio vulnificus biotype I in the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon

Vibrio species' infections are a common sequelae to environmental stress or other disease processes in shrimp, but the mechanism by which the shrimp eliminate the bacteria is poorly understood. In this study, the penetration, fate and the clearing of V. vulnificus were investigated in Penaeus monodon. A bacterial disease isolate from a shrimp farm was identified as V. vulnificus biotype I. Polyclonal antiserum was raised in rabbits against the bacterium and the specificity was verified by ELISA and immunoblot against a range of Vibrio spp. and other gram-negative bacteria. The bacteria were then administered to P. monodon juveniles by injection, immersion and oral intubation. An indirect immunoperoxidase technique was employed in a time course study to follow the bacteria and bacterial antigens in the tissue of the shrimp. Bacteria were cleared by a common route, regardless of the method of administration. Observations in immersion challenge were similar to a combination of those for oral and injection challenges. With immersion, bacteria entered the shrimp through damaged cuticle or via insertion points of cuticular setae. Shortly after entry, whole bacterial cells were observed in the haemolymph and connective tissue. They were either phagocytosed by haemocytes, or broken down outside host cells. Haemocytes containing bacterial cells or antigens (HCB) were observed in the connective tissue and haemolymph. HCB accumulated around the hepatopancreas, midgut, midgut-caecum, gills, heart and lymphoid organ. Free bacterial antigens also accumulated in the heart and lymphoid organ. Bacteria entering through the mouth by oral intubation or immersion were broken down so that only soluble or very fine particles entered the hepatopancreas. Bacterial antigens passed through the hepatopancreas into the haemolymph. Antigens were initially observed in the haemolymph sinuses and subsequently accumulated in the heart and lymphoid organ. Bacterial antigens were released from the shrimp, initially through the gills and subsequently through hepatopancreatic B-cells, branchial podocytes and sub-cuticular podocytes.     

Cell Death in the Epithelia of the Intestine and Hepatopancreas in Neocaridina heteropoda (Crustacea,Malacostraca)

The endodermal region of the digestive system in the freshwater shrimp Neocaridina heteropoda (Crustacea, Malacostraca) consists of a tube-shaped intestine and large hepatopancreas, which is formed by numerous blind-ended tubules. The precise structure and ultrastructure of these regions were presented in our previous studies, while here we focused on the cell death processes and their effect on the functioning of the midgut. We used transmission electron microscopy, light and confocal microscopes to describe and detect cell death, while a quantitative assessment of cells with depolarized mitochondria helped us to establish whether there is the relationship between cell death and the inactivation of mitochondria. Three types of the cell death were observed in the intestine and hepatopancreas–apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy. No differences were observed in the course of these processes in males and females and or in the intestine and hepatopancreas of the shrimp that were examined. Our studies revealed that apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy only involves the fully developed cells of the midgut epithelium that have contact with the midgut lumen–D-cells in the intestine and B- and F-cells in hepatopancreas, while E-cells (midgut stem cells) did not die. A distinct correlation between the accumulation of E-cells and the activation of apoptosis was detected in the anterior region of the intestine, while necrosis was an accidental process. Degenerating organelles, mainly mitochondria were neutralized and eventually, the activation of cell death was prevented in the entire epithelium due to autophagy. Therefore, we state that autophagy plays a role of the survival factor.     

Digestive enzymes present in crustacean feces as a tool for biochemical, physiological, and ecological studies

The effect of food composition on the digestive system of Penaeus vannamei shrimp was used to determine the suitability of feces for analysis of class, type, composition of digestive proteinases, and whether alterations in the digestive gland are mirrored in feces composition. Enzymes recovered from feces and the midgut gland of white shrimp P. vannamei were used for comparison purposes. Three groups of shrimp were assembled: two groups fed two different brands of commercial feeds (PI and SC) with different content of protein, and the last group fed 50% PI feed and 50% thawed giant squid. Composition of proteinases in the midgut gland and feces were identical, and trypsin and chymotrypsin paralogues were identified in both samples by substrate-electrophoresis. Total proteolytic, trypsin, and chymotrypsin enzyme activities were higher in both samples from organisms fed SC, than in the other two groups. In the hepatopancreas, trypsin activity was ∼30% higher in SC fed group. Final average weights of shrimp were close in three groups, but hepatopancreas weight was 20% higher in the SC group. The degree of protein hydrolysis (DH) in vitro for the SC and PI was evaluated by the pH-stat method, using enzymes from feces and hepatopancreas of each group. The DH of food was no different, but it was affected by enzyme source, hepatopancreas extract (HPE) or feces extract (FE). DH was always higher when FE was the enzyme source than when HPE was the source. The proposed methods for recovery of enzymes from shrimp feces can be applied to other crustaceans. Measurements were sufficiently sensitive to allow quantifying the effects of feed on digestion physiology and other ecological and physiological applications, without the necessity of killing specimens.     

Adaptation of the black tiger shrimp, Penaeus monodon, to different salinities through an excretory function of the antennal gland

Black tiger shrimps (Penaeus monodon) are able to survive and can be reared under various salinities, possibly by the cellular adaptation of their excretory system, particularly the antennal gland, which is known to regulate body fluid in crustaceans. We have investigated the morphological and biochemical alterations of the antennal glands in shrimp reared in 7, 15, or 30 ppt seawater. Drastic changes occur in animals reared under 7 ppt conditions. Ultrastructural studies of the antennal gland in shrimps reared in 7 ppt seawater have revealed that podocytic cells in the coelomosacs ramify with more cytoplasmic processes forming the filtration slits, and that the tubular labyrinth cells possess more mitochondria in their basal striation and a wider tubular lumen than those found in the other groups. Many apical cytoplasmic blebs from labyrinth cells have also been seen in the lumen of the labyrinths under 7 ppt conditions, a feature that is not as prominent under the other conditions. The expression and activity of the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase in the antennal gland are also correlated with the surrounding environment: the lower the salinity, the higher the expression and activity of the enzyme. Immunohistochemistry results have demonstrated the highest staining intensity in the labyrinth cells of shrimps reared under 7 ppt conditions. Our findings thus suggest that one of the adaptation mechanisms of this shrimp to the surrounding salinity is the regulation of Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase expression in the antennal gland, in conjunction with subcellular changes in its excretory cells.     

铅在日本沼虾体内的分布和积累

应用组织化学、透射电镜和原子吸收光谱分析等方法,研究了Pb在日本沼虾各主要器官和组织中的分布和积累情况。结果表明,在浓度为0．625mg·L^-1Pb溶液暴露10d后的日本沼虾触角腺内,具有大量的电子密度较高的Pb颗粒．在电镜下细胞内的溶酶体中沉积有大量的Pb颗粒,这些Pb通过积聚,在细胞顶端部位逐渐增多,从而出现外排现象．中肠细胞内含有Pb颗粒,细胞质出现空泡化,核膜和线粒体内嵴部分解体．肝胰脏细胞内除分布有少量Pb颗粒外,细胞结构基本完整．在沼虾鳃细胞内未发现Pb颗粒,但在鳃丝之间发现少量Pb颗粒吸附在鳃丝的表面原子吸收光谱分析结果表明,触角腺中Pb含量最高,达637．6mg·kg^-1;触角腺在Pb的解毒方面起着重要作用。     

Distribution of flurescent latex particles following clearance from the hemolymph of the freshwater crayfish,Orconectes virilis (Hagen)

Summary By using a novel technique we have been able to follow the clearance and distribution of fluorescent latex particles injected into both the midventral sinus and pericardial sinus of the freshwater cray-fish,Orconecte virilis. The fluorescene of various tissues was determined over post-injection periods ranging from 1 h to 20 days.Particles were rapidly removed from the hemolymph (Figs. 1 and 2) and accumulated in the heart (Fig. 3), antennal glands (Fig. 4), gills (Fig. 5) and, to a lesser extent, hepatopancreas (Fig. 6). Other tissues contained fluorescence in concentrations proportional to their supply of hemolymph.