Biochemical changes in different tissues of the mantis shrimp, Oratosquilla nepa (Stomatopoda) during reproductive cycle

Abstract

Maturation in Oratosquilla nepa, evaluated by visual and biochemical observations, showed that gonado somatic index (GSI) increased from immature to mature stage but declined at spent stage while the hepato somatic index (HSI) did not change significantly. During maturation protein, lipid and carbohydrate contents of the ovaries increased while in the hepatopancreas the biochemical constituents decreased. In males, these changes were less pronounced. Tn the muscle tissue, no noticeable changes occurred in both the sexes.