M. MEENAKSHI, M.D. BINDHUJA, C.GOPAL AND S. M. PILLAI
Abstract
Prophenoloxidase (proPO) is an enzyme distributed in the hemocytes, serum, trypsin and cuticle of crustaceans. Phenoloxidase activity is analyzed in the haemolymph of wild and captive (pond, Indoor reinforced polypropylene tank (IFT) and outdoor concrete tank (IFT)) reared female banana shrimp, Fenneropenaeus merguiensis, during first maturation. Shrimps from all the rearing systems were eyestalk ablated and sacrificed at first maturation. A significant variation was (p < 0.01) noticed between the maturation stages and the rearing systems except in late immature stage. proPO activity declined significantly (p < 0.01) in spent stage in all the systems proPO activating system in crustaceans is involved in non-self recogni¬tion of polysaccharides and is influenced by different habitats. *Corresponding