Controlled gonad development: effects of environmental factors on sexual maturity in red swamp crayfish, Procambarus clarkii
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: at six temperatures between 16 °C and 36 °C, and conduct experiments to investigate the impact of light intensity on growth, gonad development, and survival at 36 °C. Growth in crayfish first increased, then decreased with increased temperature. Above 28 °C, 10%-30% of gonads were mature, but the survival rate of crayfish above 28 °C was significantly lower than that below 28 °C. Hemolymph vitellogenin (VTG) content increased significantly with increased temperature; expressions of vtg gene and molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) in hepatopancreatic and ovarian tissues gradually increased; and expression of vitellogenesis-inhibiting hormone decreased significantly. At 36 °C, crayfish treated with 400-500 lx light (50% relative light intensity, RLI) showed significantly higher weight gain and survival rates than controls (800-1,000 lx, 100% RLI), and gonad development was slightly lower; hemolymph VTG contents of treatment crayfish were lower than that of controls; vtg expression decreased significantly in the ovary but not in the hepatopancreas; expression of vitellogenesis-inhibiting hormone in the hepatopancreas gradually increased; and expression of molt-inhibiting hormone did not differ significantly. Therefore, growth promotion and delayed gonad development can be achieved by decreasing light intensity during crayfish culture at high temperature, reducing VTG accumulation rates in ovaries.
Source: Frontiers in Physiology
Authors: Jian-gang Jiao, Biao Yun, Xue-qiao Qian
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,801
OpenAlex ID: W7222253094