Enzymatic Inactivation of the Pigment Hormone of the Crustacean Sinus Gland

Abstract

SEVERAL investigators have reported a dispersion of the concentrated red and yellow pigments in light-adapted species of Leander by injecting various tissue extracts. Panouse¹ brought about a weak and slow dispersion by injecting extracts of “connectifs cérébro-œsophagiens”, an effect that was considered not to be hormonal. Sunesson² announced similar results when extracts from the head of the isopod Idothea neglecta were used; but only one type of the chromatophores reacted in this way. Repeating these experiments, Carstam and Sunesson³ confirmed Sunesson's statement; but when extracts of the caudal segments were injected, the pigments of both types of chromatophores were clearly dispersed. The pigment movement, however, was different from the hormonally regulated pigment concentration in being slower, and a maximal effect was never obtained even if concentrated extracts were used.