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Title: Effects of intraperitoneal lead and cadmium on the humoral immune response of Salmo trutta

Journal Article · · Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01610984· OSTI ID:6314185

In the present study the effects of i.p. dosed lead (Pb) and cadium (Cd) on humoral antibody levels were examined in brown trout, Salmo trutta, immunized with MS2 bacteriophage. Earlier work had shown that the live MS2 virus was a primary immunogen and highly immunogenic, while non-pathogenic in fishes. Further, the antibody response could be quantified by a sensitive and reproducible technique. The i.p. route of heavy metal challenge was utilized to remove the complications presented by the environmental modifications of the toxicity of these metals and their passage through the gills of the fish. It was apparent that single i.p. doses of Pb and Cd resulted in a substantial reduction of antibody titre in MS2-immunized trout and that within the time limits of the experiment there was no recovery. However, only in the case of the two lethal concentrations was antibody totally eliminated from the sera and death ensued. Cd-exposure suppressed those responses mediated by T-lymphocytes and macrophages. A reduction in the number of B-like cells, as well as the loss of helper and memory cell activity, could have been responsible for reducing antibody titre in Pb- and Cd-dosed trout. A reduction in the number and activity of immune effector cells would also account for the Cd-dose dependent suppression of the antibody response after a rechallenge with MS2.

Research Organization:
Trent Polytechnic, Nottingham, England
OSTI ID:
6314185
Journal Information:
Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol.; (United States), Vol. 27:1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English