HORMONALLY-REGULATED FUNCTIONS IN CRUSTACEANS AS BIOMARKERS OF ENVIRONMENTAL-POLLUTION

The effects of organic and inorganic contaminants on functions regulat ed by hormones in crustaceans are being investigated with increasing f requency because several of these phenomena show promise of being usef ul biomarkers of environmental contamination. Heavy metals and organic compounds have been found in studies with crustaceans to negatively a ffect hormonally-regulated functions, specifically reproduction, molti ng, blood glucose level, and pigmentary effecters. Neurotransmitters, including 5-hydroxytryptamine and dopamine, have been identified as be ing involved in stimulating or inhibiting release of specific crustace an neurohormones such as the pigment-dispersing and pigment-concentrat ing ones involved in color changes. The effects of pollutants on at le ast some of these hormonally-regulated processes appear due at least i n part to impacting release of a neurohormone, possibly by affecting r elease of the neurotransmitter that normally stimulates release of tha t particular neurohormone. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights r eserved.