EFFECT OF EXPOSURE TO ATMOSPHERIC AIR ON BLOOD-GLUCOSE AND LACTATE CONCENTRATIONS IN 2 CRUSTACEAN SPECIES - A ROLE OF THE CRUSTACEAN HYPERGLYCEMIC HORMONE (CHH)

1. In intact (control) crabs (Carcinus maenas) and crayfish (Orconecte s limosus) a significant (P < 0.01) increase in both glucose and lacta te concentrations in the blood was observed after exposure to air. Suc h changes were not observed in either eyestalk-less or eyestalk-less a nd saline injected animals (P > 0.05). 2. lnjections of Crustacean hyp erglycemic hormone (CHH) into eyestalk-less animals before exposure to air were able to reverse the effects of eyestalk ablation, i.e., sign ificant increases (P < 0.01) in blood glucose and lactate could again be observed. 3. Significant hyperglycemia (P < 0.01), but no changes i n lactate concentration (P > 0.05), was observed after injection of CH H in eyestalk-less submerged animals. 4. These results suggest that th e increase in glycolysis after air exposure is facilitated by CHH, pos sibly by increased substrate availability due to glycogen degradation.