Multiple acute temperature stress affects leucocyte populations and antibody responses in common carp, Cyprinus carpio L.

• Published in: Fish & Shellfish Immunology
• Main Authors: Engelsma, M.Y., Hougee, S., Nap, D., Hofenk, M., Rombout, J.H.W.M., van Muiswinkel, W.B., Verburg-van Kemenade, B.M.L.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2003
• Subjects: apoptosis; atlantic salmon; blood; cell; coho salmon; cortisol; glucocorticoid receptors; immune-system; monoclonal-antibodies; salar; Keyhole; Atlantic salmon
• Online Access: https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/multiple-acute-temperature-stress-affects-leucocyte-populations-a; https://doi.org/10.1016/S1050-4648(03)00006-8

Stress is a potential factor causing increased susceptibility of fish to pathogens. In this study, stress-induced immunological changes that may contribute to a decreased immune status were investigated. A 3 h drop in ambient water temperature of 9 degreesC was used as a relative mild and acute stress model for carp. Effects of this stressor on the dynamics of leucocyte populations were determined with specific monoclonal antibodies. The relative number of circulating B-lymphocytes in the total leucocyte population decreased significantly within 4 h after the onset of single or multiple cold shocks. This decrease was reversible, as B-lymphocyte numbers were restored within 24 h. Most probably, a redistribution of B-lymphocytes contributed to this phenomenon. In head kidney, an increase was measured in the relative number of B-lymphocytes. Granulocyte numbers showed opposite reactions: the percentage of granulocytes in the total leucocyte population nearly doubled in circulation and decreased significantly in the head kidney. This demonstrates that in vivo, a mild stressor differentially alters the distribution of leucocytes. In stressed carp, the percentage of apoptotic lymphocytes in blood is significantly higher compared with the unstressed animals. B-lymphocytes as well as Ig(-) lymphoid cells contributed to this increased apoptosis. Labelling of blood lymphocytes with a polyclonal antiserum against the glucocorticoid receptor also showed, besides B-lymphocytes, part of the Ig(-) lymphoid cell population to be glucocorticoid receptor positive. As the distribution of B-lymphocytes was substantially affected, the effect of temperature stress on T-lymphocyte-independent (trinitrophenyl-lipopolysaccharide) and T-lymphocyte-dependent (dinitrophenyl-keyhole limpet hemocyanin) humoral antibody responses was determined. Kinetics of the primary antibody response to the T-lymphocyte-independent antigen showed lower antibody titres in stressed carp during the onset of the immune response, implying a slower development ...