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The juvenile Chinese mitten crabs Eriocheir sinensis (1.40 ± 0.43 g) were cultured in water of 5.34 ± 0.43 (hypoxia, treatment group) and 21.02 ± 0.06 kPa (high dissolved oxygen (DO), control group) DO for 24 h, respectively. The total hemocyte counts (THC), the hyaline hemocyte counts were measured at 0 and 24 h in the treatment group, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, concentrations of lactic acid and hemocyanin (Hc) in hemolymph and the metabolism of hepatopancreas (concentrations of glucose, total cholesterol, uric acid, total protein, urea, triglyceride in hepatopancreas) were assayed at 0, 2, 8, and 24 h in both treatment and control groups. The hyaline hemocyte counts and THC decreased significantly by 66 and 49% after exposure to hypoxic water for 24 h, respectively. SOD activity, Hc and lactic acid content were significantly affected in treatment group, and there were significant differences between treatment and control groups. In the treatment group, the concentration of glucose, cholesterol and uric acid in hepatopancreas had a significant variation for 24 h. The concentration of total protein, urea and triglyceride between treatment and control groups was not significantly different after 0, 2, 8, 24 h. However, there were significant differences between treatment and control groups in terms of total protein, glucose, and uric acid concentration. Taken together, the effect of hypoxia is comprehensive in juvenile Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]