INVOLVEMENT OF EYESTALK FACTORS IN THE NEUROENDOCRINE CONTROL OF OSMOREGULATION IN ADULT AMERICAN LOBSTER HOMARUS-AMERICANUS

Osmoregulatory capacity (OC) decreased by similar to 50% after eyestal k ablation in adult Homarus americanus when in dilute media. OC was us ed to assay sinus gland extracts. Injection of total extracts and of s ome HPLC-separated fractions of sinus glands into destalked lobsters i ncreased OC. One of the described crustacean hyperglycemic hormone iso forms influences osmoregulation. Another fraction of the sinus gland e xtracts modifies osmoregulation but its nature remains unknown. Variat ions in OC were examined in response to ecdysterone, Phe-Met-Arg-Phe-N H2, and atrial natriuretic factor but effects were minimal. (C) 1994 A cademic Press, Inc.