Expressions of molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) during the molting stages of the giant mud crab, Scylla serrata

Abstract

Survival and growth of mud crabs and any other crustaceans depend on molting. Molting is influenced by several hormones, two of which are Molt-Inhibiting Hormone {MIH} and a molt promoting hormone, the Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase (ERK). Controlling and synchronizing the molting of the crabs would be a big boost to the mud crab industry, especially in the production of soft shell crabs. The best way to control molting would be to stock juvenile crabs of the same molting stage together. In this study, hormone expressions were analyzed using quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (1RT-PCR). Molt stages of 36 juvenile S. serrata were established based on MIH and ERK expression levels that was analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA). One group of six individuals had MIH value equal to zero and presumed to be in the PR stage. The rest of the crabs had values for MIH and were presumed to be in the PM-IM stage. The value of ERK for the PM-IM stage was higher at 24.79 than in the PR stage at 21.67. Based on the data gathered, morphological markers may now be identified to standardize hormone expression. This would be the first study concerning the comparison of hormones during molting.