Environmental factors affecting immune responses in Crustacea

This paper attempts to review and evaluate existing information about the effects of environmental changes on the immune response in Crustacea. Emphasis has been placed on natural environment variations, chemical contaminants and physico-chemical changes, especially with regard to reared shrimp. Studies on the effects of environmental factors on immune function in marine Crustacea have concentrated, predominantly, on total and differential haemocyte counts, antibacterial activity, phagocytic activity, the release of reactive oxygen intermediates and the modulation of the prophenoloxidase (proPO) system.