Influence of Leucine-Enkephalin on Moulting and Vitellogenesis in the Freshwater Crab, Oziotelphusa Senex Senex (Fabricius, 1791)(Decapoda, Brachyura)

In the present study, we examined the role of leucine-enkephalin on moulting and vitellogenesis of the fresh water rice field crab, Oziotelphusa senex senex. Administration of leucine-enkephalin induced moulting and also stimulated ovarian growth and vitellogenesis. These results provide the first evidence that an opioid system is involved in the control of regulation of growth and reproduction in a crustacean. Au cours de cette etude, nous avons examine le role de la leucine-enkephaline sur la mue et la vitellogenese du crabe de riziere Oziotelphusa senex senex. L'administration de leucine-enkephaline a induit la mue et egalement stimule la croissance ovarienne et la vitellogenese. Ces resultats apportent pour la premiere fois l'evidence qu'un systeme opioide est implique dans le controle de la regulation de la croissance et de la reproduction chez un crustace.