SHORT-TERM CADMIUM INTOXICATION OF THE SHRIMP PALAEMON SERRATUS - EFFECT ON ADENYLATE METABOLISM

1. Shrimps were exposed for 96 hr to various concentrations of cadmium under laboratory conditions. The LC(50) was around 4 ppm Cd in water, which corresponded to 0.180 mu g/g wet weight of cadmium in tail musc les. 2. The effect of various concentrations of cadmium on adenylates was analyzed in tail muscles: At subletal cadmium concentrations, no v ariation of ATP, ADP and of the adenylate sum occurred, while the AMP concentration began to decrease from 0.06 ppm.At the LC(50) the ATP, A DP and AMP concentrations dropped acutely, the ATP/ADP ratio increased acutely. The apparent equilibrium constant of the adenylate kinase re action increased significantly from 2 ppm Cd, indicating an impairment in energetic metabolism. Cadmium intoxication did not influence the v alue of the adenylate energy charge.