Effects of arsenic on gonadal development in freshwater crab, Somanniathelphusa pax, in Vietnam and Geothelphusa dehaani in Japan.

To estimate the influence of water contamination by arsenic (As) on reproduction of crustaceans in Vietnam, we collected wild freshwater crab Somanniathelphusa pax from the Mekong Delta area in Vietnam, investigated gonadal development, and measured As concentration in hepatopancreas. In female crab, vitellogenesis was delayed in association with the increase of As accumulation in hepatopancreas, whereas there was no significant correlation between testicular development and As accumulation in male crab. To clarify the effects of As on gonadal development of crustaceans, we investigated the effects of oral As administration on gonadal development in Japanese freshwater crab Geothelphusa dehaani. In male crab, the occurrence of spermatids and spermatozoa were predominantly observed in the control group, whereas the occurrence of spermatocytes increased after administration of 10 microg/crab As for 3 months. On the other hand, in females, secondary yolk globule stages mainly occupied ovary of the control group. However, the primary yolk globule stage gradually increased after 10 microg/crab As administration. Together these results indicate that it is possible that As contamination in water or food causes the delay of spermatogenesis and vitellogenesis in crustaceans.