Catecholamines have long been known to play essential roles in several physiological processes in invertebrates. In this study, enzyme immunoassays were used to examine the levels of catecholamines (including adrenaline (AD), noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine (DA)) in the hemolymph of the scallop, Chlamys farreri, in responses to selected environmental stress. These stressors include high temperature (acute transfer from 17 to 28 degrees C), low salinity (acute transfer from salinity 31 to 20 psu) and air exposure, which are commonly encountered in aquaculture practices or in their natural habitat. The results showed that both AD and NA concentrations increased significantly in response to all the stressors. The levels of these catecholamines peaked 72 hr after acute temperature or salinity stresses, and then decreased gradually. For scallops subjected to air exposure, the duration of AD concentration elevation depended on the exposure temperature with a higher air temperature resulting in a shorter time to return to control level. In contrast, the NA responses were long lasting and no obvious decreases were observed after reaching the peak value. Interestingly, the DA concentration showed an inverse trend in response to stresses compared with AD or NA. These results suggested that the catecholaminergic responses in bivalve hemolymph will provide useful references in predicting the success of aquaculture practices and monitoring the environmental stresses.
(c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.