Effect of melatonin on hemolymph glucose and lactate levels in the fiddler crab Uca pugilator.
Melatonin was injected into intact and eyestalk-ablated fiddler crabs (Uca pugilator), and its effects on hemolymph glucose and lactate levels were studied. In intact crabs, glucose and lactate levels cycled simultaneously, with peaks occurring during early and late photophase. Melatonin caused a shift in the glucose and lactate cycles, with only one peak occurring closer to mid-photophase. In eyestalk-ablated animals, the glucose rhythmicity was lost; lactate cycled, but levels were significantly lower than in intact animals. Melatonin caused a delayed hyperglycemia in eyestalk-ablated animals, with concurrent but much lower increases in lactate. Overall, melatonin demonstrated delayed hyperglycemic effects that do not appear to be mediated solely via eyestalk factors such as crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH), though involvement of the eyestalks cannot be ruled out. An influence on extra-eyestalk CHH secretion is a potential mechanism of melatonin activity.
Tilden
A
A
Biology Department, Colby College, Waterville, Maine 04901, USA. artilden@colby.edu
McGann
L
L
Schwartz
J
J
Bowe
A
A
Salazar
C
C
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D003386:Brachyura / Q000502:physiology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D005123:Eye; D005947:Glucose / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006458:Hemolymph / Q000502:physiology; D007447:Invertebrate Hormones; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D007447:Invertebrate Hormones; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C015947:hyperglycemic hormone, crustacean; D019344:Lactic Acid; D005947:Glucose; D008550:Melatonin