Changes of Copper and Protein Profiles in Hepatopancreas and Hemolymph Tissues During Different Molt Stages of White Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Boone, 1931)

The objective of the present study was to investigate the levels of copper in hepatopancreas and hemolymph during the molt cycle of the white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. Molting of L. vannamei is classified into four main stages. The postmolt stage, intermolt stage, premolt stage and ecdysis. We observed the increase of copper and protein levels in the hepatopancreas and hemolymph from postmolt to premolt stages. Similarly, the hemocyanin concentration also increased significantly in hemolymph from postmolt to premolt stages. These results suggest that copper is an essential element in the development (molting) of crustaceans.