CHANG, E.S.; Univ. of Caliifornia, Bodega Marine Lab., Bodega Bay: The Hormones Regulating Crustacean Growth, Metabolism, and Reproduction: Multiple Targets for Endocrine Disruption

Crustaceans are ideal model organisms for the study of endocrine disruption and stress physiology in aquatic invertebrates. This is due to their ecological and economic importance and to the relatively extensive amount of research that has been conducted in the field of crustacean endocrinology. It is also due to the physiology of this group of organisms, especially the processes of growth (molting), metabolic regulation, and reproduction. Crustaceans rely upon their endocrine systems to constantly deal with the problems associated with these processes. I will present a brief overview of some of the hormones relevant to this symposium and then discuss areas where the disruption of endocrine systems have been documented or are likely to be affected by exogenous chemicals.