Hemolymph vitellogenin levels and ovarian development during the reproductive and non-reproductive molt cycles in the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Abstract

SUMMARY: In this study, ovarian development and vitellogenin levels were determined during the reproductive and non‐reproductive molt cycles in the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii in order to examine the relationship between vitellogenesis and molting. During the reproductive molt cycle, the ovary developed synchronously with the advancement of molting stage. At molting stages B–C0, the ovaries contained oogonia and oocytes at the previtellogenic and endogenous vitellogenic stages, and hemolymph vitellogenin levels were relatively low (2.4–3.0 mg/mL). At stage C1, yolk accumulation commenced in oocytes at the endogenous vitellogenic stage, after which oocytes entered the exogenous vitellogenic stage. Vitellogenin levels increased (4.9 mg/mL) at this stage. During premolt stages D0–D3, vitellogenin titers were high (4.7–7.3 mg/mL), and gonadosomatic index (GSI) increased rapidly due to the yolk accumulation in the oocytes. Following ecdysis, yolk accumulation was completed at stage A0, and oviposition occurred. Entering stage A, vitellogenin levels became low (0.6–1.3 mg/mL). In contrast, throughout the non‐reproductive molt cycle, GSI remained low, and oocytes did not develop beyond the previtellogenic or endogenous vitellogenic stage. Some atretic oocytes at the exogenous vitellogenic stage were observed in a few females. During the non‐reproductive molt cycle, vitellogenin levels did not show distinct changes in relation to the molt cycle.

Role of Arachidonic Acid and COX Inhibitors in the Regulation of Reproduction in Freshwater Crab Oziothelphusa senex senex

“…Vitellogenesis is the synthesis and ovarian accumulation of yolk lipoprotein vitellogenin, a major nutritive component of embryo development after fertilization [30,31]. The vitellogenin concentration in various tissues correlates with the yolk accumulation in the oocyte [32,33]. The measurement of vitellogenin levels at different stages in the hemolymph and the ovary is used as additional criteria to determine the ovarian maturation in recent past [34].…”

Perspectives on Hormonal Manipulation of Shrimp Reproduction

“…Vitellin is 350 kDa, and subunits of vitellin are 102 and 90 kDa 5,17,26 . Hemolymph vitellogenin levels change in relation to gonadal development: Vitellogenin levels are high, when the gonadosomatic index (GSI) increases during molt stages C 1 -D 2 , and vitellogenin levels decline at oviposition between molt stages D 3 -A (Fig.…”

“…During oogenesis, oocytes change histologically, and as an example, my study 17 on oogenesis in Mac. rosenbergii is shown in Fig.…”

Reproductive Mechanisms in Crustacea Focusing on Selected Prawn Species: Vitellogenin Structure, Processing and Synthetic Control

“…rosenbergii are shown in Fig. 7 (Okumura and Aida 2000). At the center of the ovary, oogonia commence meiotic division I and become oocytes.…”

“…This process has been histologically investigated in several crustacean species (for reviews, see Charniaux-Cotton and Payen 1988; Meusy and Payen 1988). One of the authors of this monograph has also studied ovarian development in relation to reproductive season and molt cycle in representative prawn species (Okumura et al 1992(Okumura et al , 2007Okumura and Aida 2000).…”