Immunomodulatory effects of domoic acid differ between In vivo and In vitro exposure in mice

The immunotoxic potential of domoic acid (DA), a well-characterized neurotoxin, has not been fully investigated. Phagocytosis and lymphocyte proliferation were evaluated following in vitro and in vivo exposure to assay direct vs indirect effects. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of DA (2.5 µg/g b.w.) and sampled after 12, 24, or 48 hr. In a separate experiment, leukocytes and splenocytes were exposed in vitro to 0, 1, 10, or 100 µM DA. In vivo exposure resulted in a significant increase in monocyte phagocytosis (12-hr), a significant decrease in neutrophil phagocytosis (24-hr), a significant decrease in monocyte phagocytosis (48-hr), and a significant reduction in T-cell mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation (24-hr). In vitro exposure significantly reduced neutrophil and monocyte phagocytosis at 1 µM. B- and T-cell mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation were both significantly increased at 1 and 10 µM, and significantly decreased at 100 µM. Differences between in vitro and in vivo results suggest that DA may exert its immunotoxic effects both directly and indirectly. Modulation of cytosolic calcium suggests that DA exerts its effects through ionotropic glutamate subtype surface receptors at least on monocytes. This study is the first to identify DA as an immunotoxic chemical in a mammalian species.

In vitro phagocytic study of blood leucocytes and peritoneal macrophages of walking catfish Clarias batrachus ( Ham.) against Aeromonas hydrophila and Escherichia coli.

In observation of in vitro phagocytic activity against Aeromonas hydrophila isolate 34k (a virulent form) and Escherichia coli (an avirulent bacteria) of neutrophil- and monocyte-like cells of walking catfish Clarias batrachus showed phagocytosis. N eutrophils and monocytes phagocytized the avirulent form of bacterial isolate more than the virulent one. Other blood leucocytes did not show phagocytosis. Peritoneal macrophage of the fish were separated by glycogen elicitation and the macrophages were being adhered on plastic cover slips for studying their in vitro phagocytic activity. Most of the cells were alive after adherence and showed phagocytosis against the virulent and avirulent bacteria. The percent phagocytosis and phagocytic index were higher against the avirulent E. coli than the virulent A. hydrophila.

Seasonal and sex related haematological variations of the freshwater spiny eel, Mastacembelus armatus reared in the cemented cisterns

The seasonal and sex related haematological vanatlons in the freshwater spiny eel Mastacembelus armatuswere studied during summer from April to June 2001 and winter from November 2001 to January 2002. In total 60 fish (30 males and 30 females) ranging from 30- 55.6 cm in total length and from 55-95.5 g in weight were collected from the culture stock maintained in the cemented cisterns. It was observed that the values of the total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb ), haematocrit values, packed cell volume (PCV) and neutrophil count were significantly higher (P< 0.05) in males than the females during summer (April to June- on-set of breeding season). Females were observed to have remarkably higher values (P< 0.01) of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), total leucocyte count (TLC) and thrombocyte count during summer. On the other hand, insignificant variations in the various haematological parameters were noticed during winter (November to January) between the two sexes of M. armatus.

Comparative study of seasonal changes in some blood parameters and genetic polymorphisms of serum antibodies and antigens on red blood cells surface in immature Caspian salmon

Seasonal sampling from 40 immature Caspian salmon were performed in summer, autumn, winter and spring. The maximum ranges of RBC counts, Hct, Hb, WBC count and clotting times were observed in spring, summer, spring, spring and winter, respectively. The minimum amounts of these factors were counted in summer, winter, winter, winter and winter, respectively. Blood Samples were taken from healthy smolt, immature and adult Caspian salmon in spawning time. Hematological determinations and biochemical serum analysis were performed in 101 fish in the three samples. The ranges of hematological values for sample mean were counted. Red blood cell counts were 866600 mm3 and 1259400 mm3 in smolt and adult respectively. Hematocrit was 48.39% in smolt and 44.29% in adult. Hemoglobin was 8.85 gr/dl in smolt and 10.91 gr/dl in adult. White blood cell count was 8781.58 mm3 in smolt and 5217.55 mm3 in adult and mean were differential of WBC, Lymphocyte 90.57%in smolt and73.22% in adult. Neutrophil was 5.12% in smolt and 16.92% in adult, Monocyte were 1.27% in smolt and 4.24% in adult, Clotting time was 282.34 Seconds in smolt and 291.47 seconds in adult MCV, MCH and MCHC also meagered in smolt and adult. Biochemical parameter in immature and mature Caspian salmon meagered .Glucose concentration was 2.97 mmol.l- in immature and 1.99 mmol.l- in mature .Cholesterol concentration was 4.26 mmol.l- in immature and 7.06 mmol.l- in mature. Triglyceride amount was 2.35 mmol.l- in immature and 2.47 mmol.l- in mature and Calcium was 2.47 in immature and 2.61 mmol.l- in mature. An in situ study was made on erythrocytic isoantigens and hetero-antigen and their corresponding iso-and hetero-antibodies of sera by means of hemoagglutination tests on the blood sample, of 450 immature and 50 mature Caspian salmon. The absence of erythrocyte iso-antigens and hetero-antigen and their corresponding iso-and hetero-antibodies were shown by the experimental. It could be indicated an intra-specific variation and differences in species for kelardasht hatchery.

A comparative study on effects of Immunoster and Immunowall as immunostimulants on some hematological, biochemical and growth indices of farmed great sturgeon juveniles (Huso huso)

Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that profitably affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and /or activation of one or a limited number of bacteria in the intestine that can enhance host health status. Immunoster (IS) and Immunowall (IW) are prebiotics and immunostimulants derived from the outer cell wall of brewers yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These substances contain MOS and �-glucans. After a four-week acclimatization period to rearing conditions and basal diet, 450 farmed great sturgeon juveniles weighing 95.58 ± 9.38 g were randomly distributed into 15 fiberglass tanks (2 × 2 × 0.53 m) in five treatments (Control, IS 1%, IW 1%, IS 3%, and IW 3%) in three replicates (completely randomized design) and kept at a density of 30 fish per tank for a period of 8 weeks at water temperature 20.55 ± 5.11ºC, dissolved oxygen 6.73 ± 0.35 mg L-1 and pH 7.92 ± 0.09. IS and IW were added at two levels of 1% and 3% to the basal diet in place of cellulose, except the control. At the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the trial, carcass analysis was done to determine the moisture, protein, fat, ash, and total carbohydrate. Also, blood samples were collected to measure hematological, biochemical and immune indices. At the end of the trial, final weight, final length, body weight increase (BWI), specific growth rate (SGR), average daily growth (ADG), protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and condition factor (CF) in fish fed on IS and IW in both levels 1% and 3% showed some differences. These differences were significant in IS 3% and IW 1% and 3% compared with the control (P<0.05). HSI showed no significant difference (P>0.05) and survival rate was 100% in all treatments. Crude protein of carcass in fish fed on IS and IW at 1% and 3% showed an increase in comparison with the control. There was significant difference between IS 3% and the control in crude protein of carcass (P<0.05). Fish fed on IS and IW at 1% and 3% showed various results in hematological and biochemical factors. It was observed significant difference in MCV between IW 1% and IS 3% compared with the control (P<0.05). Although there was an increase in values of hematocrit, hemoglobin (except IS 1%), WBC (except IW 3%), MCH, neutrophil, total protein, albumin (except IS 3%), K+, and lysozyme in fish fed on IS and IW compared with the control, it was no significant (P>0.05). The maximum count of WBC and the highest value of Ca2+ were seen in IW 1%. The maximum count of lymphocyte, the highest values of total protein, albumin and IgM were recorded in IW 3%. IS 1% had the maximum count of neutrophil and the highest concentration of lysozyme. Based on obtained results, it can be declared that IS and IW at two levels of 1% and 3% can enhance growth performance and feed efficiency and also improve some hematological, biochemical, and immune indices in farmed great sturgeon juveniles.

The effect of vitamins C and E on some of growth factors of cultured Acipenser ruthenus

The effect of vitamins C and E on some of growth factors of cultured Acipenser ruthenus was studied in this thesis. For this purpose diets supplemented with a combination of 100 and 400 mg/kg vitamin C, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate and 100 and 400 mg/kg vitamin E, D-alpha-tocopherol,were each fed to sterlet in 2 replications for 15 weeks. Fifteen fish with average weight of 350.92±14.28 gr were distributed to each of 18 tanks after adaptation with experimental diet. After 5 weeks, there were significant differences in RBC, ESR, HCT and differential counting of white blood cells among the treatments (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the amount of WBC among the treatments (P>0.05). After 10 weeks, there were significant differences in the amounts of Monocytes, Lymphocytes and Eosinophils (P<0.05), but there was no significant differences in the amount of other hematologic factors (P>0.05). At the end of the experiment (15th week) only WBC, RBC, Monocyte, lymphocyte and neutrophil showed significant differences between the treatments (P<0.05) and other hematologic factors did not show any significant differences between the treatments (P>0.05). The results of biochemical indices analysis showed significant differences (P<0.05) among treatments for all of the parameters for 5th weeks, total protein and glucose for 10th week and only cholesterol for 15th week. The carcass analysis at the end of experiment showed that only the amount of carbohydrate, protein and ash were significantly difference between the treatments (P<0.05). The results of growth parameters at the end of 3th, 9th, 12th and 15th week showed significant differences between the treatments (P<0.05), but at the end of 6th week only GR was significantly different between the treatments (P<0.05). After concerning acute stress test including reduce water volume, cutting the aeration for 30 minutes at the end of experiment, cortisol and glucose significantly increased (P<0.05) compared with prestress period, but the lowest response to the stressor was observed in fish fed by E400 C 400 mg/kg. On the other hand the survival was 100% during the experiment and no mortality was occurred during this period. Results of this study indicate that Vitamins C and E can have remarkable effects on hematological, biochemical and growth indices in different growth periods. So regarding the effects of vitamin C and E on some growth indices, it seems that the diet containing E400 C 100 mg/kg can be considered as the optimum diet in the rearing condition for this weigth range of fish.