Effect of a severe hypoxia on some aspects of nitrogen metabolism in the crabcancer pagurus

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Abstract
Resting C. pagurus was exposed to severe hypoxia (Pw02 = 40 Torr and 15 Torr) for 5h at 15°C. Ammonia excretion rate and GDH activity in muscle tissue were measured in regularly fed and starved crabs. A 50% and 60% decrease in ammonia excretion rate was observed at a Pw02 of 40 Torr and 15 Torr, respectively, in regularly fed crabs. This decrease was fully realized within the 1st hour. In 2 wk‐starved crabs, the normoxic ammonia excretion rate was reduced by 40% as a result of starvation. A further decrease in excretion rate was observed under both hypoxic conditions but the hypoxia effect appeared to be expressed as a function of the primary starvation effect. The activity level of GDH in either function was influenced by neither a 5h‐hypoxia nor a 2 wk‐starvation, in muscle of C. pagurus. A significant increase in GDH activity for glutamate synthesis (A1) and changes in the A1: A2 activity ratio of the enzyme were observed as a result of the combined effect of hypoxia (15 Torr) and starvation.

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