Effect of Hormonal Pollutants on Aquatic Crustacea and the Surrounding Environment

摘要

The impact of administering compounds which have hormonal activity on insects was evaluated on crustacea. The Juvenile Hormone Analog (JHA) Methoprene and its formulation, Altosid, were tested as were other compounds with specific insecticidal effects, such as Insect Growth Regulators (IGRs). Lethal levels of Methoprene (Altosid) were established. Sublethal levels affect reproduction and embryonic development. Safe concentrations of Methoprene and Precocene were found. Dimilin was more toxic to Daphnia than to target insects. To provide new means for studying aspects of crustacean reproduction and its control, we have initiated short term organ culture procedures. Conditions for cultivating fragments of Carcinus meanas hepatopancreas were established. This tissue is capable of synthesizing yolk protein precursors, vitellogenins. Interstitial cells of the hepatopancreas were identified as the source of vitellogenins by the use of immunocytological localization. The production of yolk proteins seems to be hormonally regulated and sensitive to IGRs.