SOME EFFECTS OF EYESTALK REMOVAL ON THE Y-ORGANS OF <i>CANCER IRRORATUS</i> SAY

Abstract

1. Bilateral destalking of Cancer irroratus increases the rate of RNA synthesis in the Y-organ cells during the first four days postdestalking.2. The cytoplasmic volume of the Y-organ cells also increases during the first four to five days postdestalking and then drops to a plateau that is slightly above the volume of cells from non-destalked control animals.3. Numerous areas of cytoplasmic vacuolization and cellular degeneration are evidenced within the control and destalked crabs. It is postulated that this may be evidence of holocrine activity.4. The Y-organ cells of Cancer irroratus contain numerous osmophilic granules both in control and destalked animals.