Characterization of naturally occurring agglutinin in the crab Varuna litterata

Abstract

Naturally occurring agglutinin was analyzed in the hemolymph of crab Varuna litterata by hemagglutination assay (HA). Hemolymph of V. litterata had the capacity to agglutinate a variety of mammalian erythrocytes, rat > rabbit = guinea pig = horse = buffalo = human A = human B > human O > dog > donkey = goat. Among the various tissues tested for HA, maximum HA titer was observed in the hemolymph of V. litterata with rat erythrocytes. Agglutinin capable of agglutinating rat erythrocytes was observed in tissues like hemolymph > hepatopancreas > hemocytes = fat body > gills > muscle. Significant variation in HA titer was observed in the hemolymph in relation to sex and body size. Biochemical parameters like hemolymph protein, calcium and water had no significance influence on HA.