Metabolic activity variations in the sea urchins (Paracentrotus lividus) treated with magnesium and subjected to handling stress and aerial exposure

This study assessed the impact of the use of magnesium chloride as a relaxant for the echinoid Paracentrotus lividus on the metabolic activity of individuals subjected to handling stress and aerial exposure. The variation in the gonad moisture content and biochemical composition was compared in sea urchins (P. lividus) treated with magnesium and untreated controls before transport and during 15 days of laboratory acclimation. Sea urchins treated with magnesium maintained higher levels of protein and carbohydrate throughout the trial in comparison with controls. However, the lipid level and fatty acid percentage remained stable during the experiment and no differences were found between treated or non-treated sea urchins .