Decreased level of crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) in black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon suffering from Monodon Slow-Growth Syndrome (MSGS)

Monodon Slow-Growth Syndrome (MSGS), a pathological condition in the black tiger shrimp Penaeus monodon, is associated with Laem–Singh virus (LSNV) infection. Infected shrimp grow slowly when the virus invades the part of the retina called the zona fasciculata. Since molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) and crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) are synthesized in the optic lobe and are related to molting activity and growth of the shrimp, the purpose of this study is therefore to determine the levels of these hormones and related parameters in MSGS shrimp. P. monodon juveniles were sampled from normal and MSGS ponds and were divided into small-negative, large-negative, small-positive and large-positive groups, depending on the size of the shrimp and whether they were LSNV-negative or LSNV-positive. Individual shrimp were measured for duration of each molt stage and molt interval. Levels of MIH1 and CHH1 transcripts were determined from the optic lobe, using real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. The results revealed that the small-positive and the small-negative shrimp did not differ in durations of molt stages or molt intervals, as well as on the levels of MIH1 transcript in the optic lobe, MIH1 peptide in the optic lobe and hemolymph, or ecdysteroids in the hemolymph. Differences in molting activities and related transcript and hormones were observed between the small- and large-sized shrimp, but not in the status of LSNV infection. While levels of CHH1 transcript in the optic lobe of both small-negative and small-positive shrimp did not differ, levels of CHH1 peptide, as well glucose, in the hemolymph of the small-positive shrimp were significantly lower than those of the small-negative group. Levels of glycogen in the hepatopancreas of the small-positive shrimp were also significantly higher than that of the small-negative ones. The results suggest that growth retardation in MSGS shrimp is related to the suppression of the release of CHH1 peptide by LSNV invasion in the zona fasciculata, consequently causing decreased hepatopancreatic glycogenolysis and persistent hypoglycemia, resulting in growth stunting.

► The level of CHH peptide of small-MSGS shrimp was lowered in the hemolymph.
► The level of glycogen in the hepatopancreas of small-MSGS shrimp was increased.
► The glucose level in the hemolymph of small-MSGS was decreased.