Growth, survival, changes in the hepatopancreatic cell morphology, and digestive proteinase activity were evaluated in the red shrimp Pleoticus muelleri (Bate, 1888). A six-week trial was carried out with juveniles of P. muelleri in aquaria. Animals were fed with semi-purified diets with different levels of vitamin A (140, 160 and 180 mg vitamin A kg-1 diet). No differences in survival and weight gain of shrimp were observed among any of the dietary treatments under the experimental conditions. Histological results yielded differences among treatments. In shrimp fed 180 mg kg-1, the functional morphology of the hepatopancreas was normal. Consistent changes with signs of malnourishment, such as cellular hyperplasia and hypertrophy, disorganized tissue, and shrinkage of cells, were evident in the organ of shrimp fed the other diets. The highest proteinase activity was recorded with diets 140 and 160 mg kg-1 and a significant decrease was observed with 180 mg kg-1. It can be stated that optimal level of vitamin A in diets forP. muelleri is 180 mg kg-1 and under malnourishment the hepatopancreas presents structural changes and alterations in protease activity.
