Genotoxic, physiological and immunological effects caused by temperature increase, air exposure or food deprivation in freshwater crayfish Astacus leptodactylus

The aim of this research was to investigate influence of different environmental stressors, such astemperature increase, air exposure and food deprivation on DNA integrity of a bioindicator species,freshwater crayfish Astacus leptodactylus. DNA damage was measured in crayfish haemocytes using Cometassay and micronucleus test. Crayfish haemolymph was subsequentially sampled during their 7 days ofexposure to increased temperatures (25 and 30 °C) and during 24 h of air exposure. Both groups were alsomonitored through the following 7 days of recovery period. Food deprived crayfish were monitored over aperiod of 2 weeks. Alterations of measured physiological and immunological haemolymph parameters (THC,lactate, glucose and protein concentration) indicated stress response in exposed crayfish. However, only thestress induced by increased temperature significantly increased DNA damage in freshwater crayfish whilefood deprivation or air exposure did not cause a significant genotoxic effect.© 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.