In this study, we investigated the effects of low salinity(26 and 21)on the prophenoloxidase(proPO)system and related defence parameters in the shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. The results showed that low salinity induced a significant increase of dopamine(DA)concentration in haemolymph at 6h of the experiment; on the other hand, total haemocyte count(THC), differential haemocyte count(DHC)and PO activity decreased over time to the lowest level at 24 h and remained low thereafter. Serine Protease(SP)and Proteinase Inhibitor(PI)activity in the two lower salinity treatments decreased to the lowest level at 12 and 24h, respectively, and both recovered to the control level at 72 h. In contrast, α2-macroglobulin(α2M)activity in the two lower salinity treatments peaked at 24h and then decreased to the control level at 72h. Therefore, it may be concluded that stress-induced DA plays an important temporary role in neurotransmission and causes immune response in L. Vannamei in adapting to salinity changes.