Alterations in Carbohydrate Metabolism in Selected Tissues of Crab, Oziotelphusa Senex Senex (Fabricius) Under Fenvalerate-Induced Stress

Changes in carbohydrate metabolism in hepatopancreas and muscle of the crab, Oziotelphusa senex senex exposed to a sublethal concentration (0.2 ppm) of fenvalerate, a pyrethroid insecticide, were studied. the glycogen and total carbohydrate levels decreased significantly in the tissues of crab exposed to fenvalerate. an increase in phosphorylase 'a' and decrease in aldolase activity levels suggested increased glycogenolysis, and decreased glycolysis during fenvalerate toxicity. Krebs cycle enzymes such as NAD-isocitrate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase were decreased, suggesting reduced mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity was increased significantly, indicating enhanced oxidation of glucose through the hexose monophosphate shunt pathway. Lactate dehydrogenase activity was elevated indicating the development of anaerobic conditions at tissue level in the stressed crab. Cytochrome C oxidase and Mg2+ ATPase activity levels were also decreased, indicating the impaired energy synthesis and prevalence of energy crisis. These results suggest that fenvalerate has a profound effect on the glucose metabolism of crab.