Effect of chronic irradiation on the humoral immune response of a marine fish, the eelpout (Zoarces viviparus L.).
Eelpout (Zoarces viviparus), a marine fish, were exposed to gamma-radiation at a dose-rate of 2.0 mGy h-1. They were injected with the antigen trinitrophenyl-keyhole limpet haemocyanin (TNP-KLH) and their specific humoral immune response to the TNP hapten measured. There were no differences in the primary antibody response between unirradiated controls and treated fish. However, the response to a second injection of antigen was significantly increased in irradiated fish. There were no significant radiation effects on total serum protein or serum lysozyme. Radiation effects on testis were also examined and there was a significant radiation-induced reduction in relative weight (gonadosomatic index). These results are discussed with reference to environmental radiation levels in areas of authorized radioactive waste disposal.
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Directorate of Fisheries Research, Fisheries Laboratory, Lowestoft, UK.
L N
LN
Greenwood
J F
JF
Knowles
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000528:radiation effects*; D000941:Antigens; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000528:radiation effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000528:radiation effects; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005399:Fishes / Q000276:immunology*; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006241:Haptens; D006433:Hemocyanins; D009113:Muramidase / Q000097:blood / Q000528:radiation effects; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors
D000941:Antigens; D001798:Blood Proteins; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D006241:Haptens; C054401:trinitrophenyl keyhole limpet hemocyanin; D006433:Hemocyanins; D009113:Muramidase