Hemolymph metabolic variables in response to experimental manipulation stress and serotonin injection in Penaeus vannamei

The effects of serotonin (5-HT) and the stress of repeated sampling on Penaeus vannamei hemolymph levels of glucose, lactate, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, and total protein were examined. For this purpose, a baseline hemolymph sample was taken and then shrimp were injected with 5-HT (50 mu g/shrimp) or saline after which repeated individual samples were taken at 30, 60, and 120 min. Glucose levels tripled in both saline- and serotonin-treated shrimp when compared to baseline values, without any difference between both groups. In contrast, lactate level rose significantly only in the 5-HT group. The levels of this metabolite were significantly higher than in the saline-injection group for all time points. Triacylglycerol decreased in both groups and no substantial differences were observed in cholesterol and protein levels. The results indicate that repeated sampling stress produces strong hyperglycemia and that 5-HT does not produce an additional increase in glucose levels. However, this monoamine strongly increased lactate levels, a response that can be distinguished from stress and probably attributed to glycolysis.