| dc.description.abstract |
The present investigation revealed three types of circulating haemocytes
in the haemolymph of F. indicus: hyalinocytes, small-granule haemocytes, and
large-granule haemocytes. Intermediate stages indicate the maturing process of a
single cell. The presence of enzymes such as peroxidase, phenoloxidase and acid
phosphatase in the haemocytes, and the substantial production of oxygen radicals
during phagocytosis show that the haemocytes are capable of mounting a fme
cellular defense mechanism. The enzyme activities of the serum and the presence
of agglutinins in the serum, which may act as opsonins, agglutinate foreign
particles and augment phagocytosis, confirm the presence of a superior humoral
immune system in F. indicus.Bacterial infection caused considerable variations in the cellular and
humoral factors, such as the number of circulating cells and haemagglutinating
activity, especially in the initial hours of infection. The total haemocyte count,
haemagglutination titer and phenoloxidase enzyme showed significant reductions
on bacterial presence and could be used as indicators of bacterial infection.The number of circulating cells showed drastic fluctuation on exposure to
pollutants. Nuvan at low concentrations was able to produce changes in the
haemolymph factors and in the tissue organization, which implies that the animal
is under stress and is easily prone to infections. Exposure to nuvan resulted in
significant variation in all of the cellular and humoral factors, especially, the total
haemocyte count, percentage of small granule haemocytes, phagocytic activity
and the haemagglutinating activity, which might be good indicators of pesticide
pollution. Heavy metal exposure caused significant increase in total haemocyte
count and reduction in phenoloxidase enzyme activity Even changes in the
physio-chemical parameters, such as salinity caused fluctuations in the defense
factors, indicating stress in this euryhaline species. The dietary incorporation of a
commercial immunostimulant containing P-l,3 glucan resulted in stimulation of
some of the humoral defense factors of F indicus, but was time dependent. The
modulations, on exposure to various external factors, in the cellular and humoral
factors, especially, total haemocyte count, phagocytic activity, haemagglutinating
activity and the phenoloxidase and acid phosphatase enzymes suggest that these
parameters could be used as indicators of the health status of F indicus, which
assist in better monitoring and effective health management of this important
cultured species. |
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