ABSTRACT The sesquiterpenoid, methyl farnesoate, produced by the mandibular organ of decapod crustaceans has a variety of functions including the regulation of moulting, reproduction, morphogenesis, behaviour and osmoregulation. This study used gas chromatography and mass spectrometric analysis to measure the haemolymph concentration of methyl farnesoate during various developmental stages of the ovary of the edible freshwater crab Travancoriana schirnerae. The results revealed exceptionally low methyl farnesoate titres in the haemolymph during the avitellogenic and previtellogenic periods (5.7 ± 0.7 and 12.8 ± 1.3 ng/mL, respectively), reaching a peak in the early vitellogenic period (91.8 ± 3.8 ng/mL), followed by a significant fall during the middle and late vitellogenic stages (32.1 ± 2.3 and 22.1 ± 1.6 ng/mL, respectively). The progressive increase and decrease in the haemolymph titre of methyl farnesoate in accordance with the stages of the ovarian cycle clearly indicated the role of this hormone in growth and maturation of the ovary. Furthermore, administration of methyl farnesoate can be exploited as an alternate method to the traditional eyestalk ablation practised for inducing ovarian maturation and spawning.

中文翻译：

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法尼酸甲酯与淡水蟹雌性生殖周期相关的分析，Travancoriana schirnerae Bott，1969（甲壳类：Gecarcinucidae）

摘要 由十足目甲壳类动物的下颌器官产生的倍半萜类化合物法尼酸甲酯具有多种功能，包括调节换羽、繁殖、形态发生、行为和渗透调节。本研究使用气相色谱和质谱分析来测量可食用淡水蟹 Travancoriana schirnerae 卵巢各个发育阶段中法尼酸甲酯的血淋巴浓度。结果显示在卵黄生成期和卵黄生成前阶段血淋巴中的法尼酸甲酯滴度异常低（分别为 5.7 ± 0.7 和 12.8 ± 1.3 ng/mL），在卵黄生成早期达到峰值（91.8 ± 3.8 ng/mL），随后在卵黄生成中期和晚期显着下降（分别为 32.1 ± 2.3 和 22.1 ± 1.6 ng/mL）。根据卵巢周期的阶段，法尼酸甲酯血淋巴滴度的逐渐增加和减少清楚地表明这种激素在卵巢生长和成熟中的作用。此外，可以利用法尼酸甲酯作为传统眼柄消融术的替代方法，用于诱导卵巢成熟和产卵。