Effect of Mercury and Naphthalene on Non-Specific Esterases and Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity during the Vitellogenic Stage of the Marine Edible Crab Scylla serrata

Generally, the reproductive tissues are the main targets for any environmental pollutants. In crustaceans pollutants accumulate in lipid rich yolk, the contents of which are mobilized in organ formation during larval development. The crabs were reared in individual and combined concentrations i.e. 10 mg of mercury, 100 mg of naphthalene and 10 mg of mercury with 100 mg of naphthalene for 96 hrs. The effects of mercury and naphthalene on the non-specific esterases and lactate dehydrogenase have been studied in muscle, hepatopancreas, ovary and haemolymph of a marine edible crab Scylla serrata, with reference to ovarian maturation.