Depuration effect on the total hemocytes count and heavy metals concentration in freshwater crayfish, Procambarus clarkii

One of the most important aquatic macro-invertebrates is Procambarus clarkii. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of depuration for 21 days on the total hemocytes count and heavy metals (Co, Cr, Pb and Hg) concentrations in the hemolymph and different tissues of P. clarkii. Two hundred crayfish were collected and were divided into two groups; field crayfish (FCF) that were dissected directly and the depurated crayfish (DCF) that were housed for 21 days in glass tanks. Procambarus clarkii were dissected to determine the total hemocytes count and heavy metal concentrations in the hemolymph, abdominal muscles, and hepato-pancreas. The results showed that the depuration has led to a significant decrease in the total count of hemocytes, however, it increased the percentages of semi-granular cells, granulocytes and decreased the percentage of hyalinocytes. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis showed different protein patterns between FCF and DCF. Not all the selected heavy metals were detected in the collected water samples and in the investigated tissues. Depuration has led to a significant decrease of the heavy metals, if present, in the hemolymph, abdominal muscles, and hepato-pancreas. Collectively, the depuration resulted in significant decreases in the total hemocytes count and eliminated the selected heavy metals from the different tissues of P. clarkii.