Editing Hemocyanin (section)

== Case studies: environmental impact on hemocyanin levels ==
A 2003 study of the effect of culture conditions of blood metabolites and hemocyanin of the white shrimp ''[[Litopenaeus vannamei]]'' found that the levels of hemocyanin, oxyhemocyanin in particular, are affected by the diet. The study compared oxyhemocyanin levels in the blood of white shrimp housed in an indoor pond with a commercial diet with that of white shrimp housed in an outdoor pond with a more readily available protein source (natural live food) as well. Oxyhemocyanin and blood glucose levels were higher in shrimp housed in outdoor ponds. It was also found that blood metabolite levels tended to be lower in low activity level species, such as crabs, lobsters, and the indoor shrimp when compared to the outdoor shrimp. This correlation is possibly indicative of the morphological and physiological evolution of crustaceans. The levels of these blood proteins and metabolites appear to be dependent on energetic demands and availability of those energy sources.<ref name=Pascual_2006>{{cite journal | vauthors = Pascual C, Gaxiola G, Rosas C |title=Blood metabolites and hemocyanin of the white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei: The effect of culture conditions and a comparison with other crustacean species |journal=Marine Biology |volume=142 |issue=4 |pages=735–745 |year=2003 |doi=10.1007/s00227-002-0995-2 |s2cid=82961592 }}</ref>