Title: Development of new methods to assess invertebrate immunology and immunotoxicology in aquaculture: oysters and lobsters as examples

Authors: Sylvain De Guise, Michael Goedken, Brenda Morsey, Jennifer Maratea, Inga Sidor, Christopher Perkins

Addresses: Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, 61 North Eagleville Road, U-89, Storrs CT 06269, USA. ' Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, 61 North Eagleville Road, U-89, Storrs CT 06269, USA. ' Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, 61 North Eagleville Road, U-89, Storrs CT 06269, USA. ' Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, 61 North Eagleville Road, U-89, Storrs CT 06269, USA. ' Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science, University of Connecticut, 61 North Eagleville Road, U-89, Storrs CT 06269, USA. ' Environmental Research Institute, University of Connecticut, 61 North Eagleville Road, U-89, Storrs CT 06269, USA

Abstract: In order to support healthy aquaculture, we developed assays to assess immune functions and their susceptibility to environmental conditions or toxicants. Flow cytometry allowed the rapid and quantitative analysis of oyster and lobster cell subpopulations and their functions (phagocytosis, peroxide production, natural killer cell-like activity and apoptosis). We demonstrated experimentally that water salinity, water temperature and infection with P. marinus modulated oyster defence mechanisms, and lobsters relative sensitivity to the effects of pesticides. This information will improve the understanding of resistance to pathogens as well as the potential effects of environmental changes to affect disease resistance.

Keywords: invertebrate immunology; invertebrate immunotoxicology; aquaculture; shellfish; crustaceans; oysters; lobsters; flow cytometry; water salinity; water temperature; P. marinus infection; pesticides; pathogen resistance; environmental changes; disease resistance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2008.020568

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2008 Vol.33 No.4, pp.365 - 380

Published online: 30 Sep 2008 *

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