title: Antibody-producing cells correlated to body weight in juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) acclimated to optimal and elevated temperatures.
abstract: The immune response of juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) ranging in weight from approximately 10 to 55 g was compared when the fish were acclimated to either 13 or 21 degrees C. A haemolytic plaque assay was conducted to determine differences in the number of antibody-producing cells (APC) among fish of a similar age but different body weights. Regression analyses revealed significant increases in the number of APC with increasing body weight when fish were acclimated to either water temperature. These results emphasise the importance of standardising fish weight in immunological studies of salmonids before exploring the possible effects of acclimation temperatures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, U.S. Geological Survey, Oregon State University, Corvallis 97331, USA.
authors.forename: L N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Harrahy
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Schreck
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Maule
mesh_terms: D000064:Acclimatization / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D001835:Body Weight / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique / Q000662:veterinary; D016014:Linear Models; D012474:Salmon / Q000276:immunology*; D013696:Temperature