HEMOLYMPH biochemistry

 Collection of hemolymph from American lobster   

Clinical   biochemistry analysis uses changes in the levels of electrolytes,  minerals, metabolites and/or enzymes in the blood to help understand  normal physiologic processes and assess responses to physiologic or pathologic stressors.

In American lobsters (Homarus americanus) and snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio),  biochemistry profiles have be used to: study the physiologic effects of  shipping; detect increased enzyme activity after release from damaged  tissues; and, show  correlation of certain parameters with  hepatopancreas lipid stores.

Hemolymph  is readily collected from most crustaceans and molluscs.  Up to 23  parameters can be measured in a 1.0 mL sample when using automated ‘wet  chemistry’ analysers. 

Sample Types: 

fresh or frozen hemolymph plasma

 Intracellular urate crystals in American lobster.

Cytology  complements classic histologic evaluation of tissue and provides a means to evaluate fluid samples. 

With cytology, cellular  detail is often more defined.  Infectious agents such as bacteria and  parasites are usually more readily identified than in histology  preparations when present in low numbers.  When required, special stains  (Gram, PAS, acid-fast, etc.) can also be used.

Samples  are easy to prepare – tissue imprints are made on glass slides and left  to air dry, without fixation.  Small drops of fluid samples can be  similarly prepared.  Samples are quickly stained (minutes) with a  Romanowsky stain and examined microscopically.

Sample Types: 

unstained or stained slides

 Muscle necrosis (Mushy Tail) in American lobster. 

Hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining remains the mainstay for fixed tissue evaluation. 

Histology  provides information about tissue architecture which is unavailable  when tissues are examined using cytology.

Sample Types:
stained or unstained slides; paraffin blocks;

 fixed tissues in cassettes