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Abstract : |
In the present study, it was investigated the levels of copper in hepatopancreas, hemolymph and the ovary during the ovarian cycle of the white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Ovarian development of L. vannamei was classified into four stages; the previtellogenic stage, vitellogenic stage I, vitellogenic stage II and vitellogenic stage III. The levels of copper in the hepatopancreas, hemolymph and ovary increased with increasing the ovarian index. The protein and hemocyanin concentration were significantly increased from the previtellogenic stage to vitellogenic stage III in the hemolymph. Similarly, the protein concentration significantly increased in the both hepatopancreas and ovary from previtellogenic stage to vitellogenic stage III. The results provide support to the hypothesis that the hepatopancreas is the source of ovarian vitellin (protein). The results also suggest that copper is an important element in the ovarian development of crustaceans., |
