Serotonin induced ovarian maturation in female mole crab emerita emeritus

The present study demonstrates the impact of serotonin (5-HT) on ovarian development and lipid profiles in the mole crab Emerita emeritus. Exogenous 5 HT, at various concentrations (1x10-6, 1x10-7 and 1x10-8 mol/crab) were injected into the crab at immature stage of ovarian development. Injection of serotonin significantly increased the gonadosomatic index, oocyte diameter and hepatosomatic index respectively. When compared to the control animals total lipid and triglyceride level increased in the ovary and hepatopancreas whereas the free fatty acid and lipase activity showed a marked decrease in hepatopancreas and ovarian tissue. Histological observations of the ovary, showed serotonin increased the ovarian maturation with regard to the arrangement and enlargement of oocytes in the ovary. Results clearly showed that 5HT, at 1x10-6 concentration has sufficiently enhanced the regulation of ovarian development with shorter duration in E. emeritus.