Environmental factors affecting immune responses in Crustacea

This paper attempts to review and evaluate existing information about the e ffects of environmental changes on the immune response in Crustacea. Emphas is has been placed on natural environment variations, chemical contaminants and physico-chemical changes, especially with regard to reared shrimp. Stu dies on the effects of environmental factors on immune function in marine C rustacea have concentrated. predominantly, on total and differential haemoc yte counts, antibacterial activity, phagocytic activity, the release of rea ctive oxygen intermediates and the modulation of the prophenoloxidase (proP O) system. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.