The seasonal changes in immunocompetence of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) and the potential associations to metazoan parasites
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| Year of publication | 2008 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Description | The immune function of teleost fish is strongly influenced by water temperature. Then, the investment in many fish functions and also the parasite life cycle can vary in time due to the seasonal effects of surrounding water. The aim of this study was to analyze the selected immunological and physiological parameters in Cyprinus carpio and investigate the potential links between these parameters and the presence of metazoan parasites. During four different periods from 2007 to 2008 (i.e. early summer, late summer, autumn and winter) a total of 120 individuals of common carp from farmed Vodňany population were studied. Generally, the highest values of majority hematological parameters (RBC, PCV, Hb, MCV, MCH and MCHC) and spleen-somatic index (SSI) were recorded in early summer. The maximal values of lymphocyte and monocyte counts and also lysozyme level were detected in late summer. In autumn, we found the statistically highest values of gonado-somatic index and leukocyte count. Significantly higher values of condition factor (CF), as well values connected with respiratory burst (RB) and phagocyte count (PH) were recorded in winter. The negative correlation was found between CF and the abundance of Monogenea. Moreover, the negative correlation was also found between SSI and both Monogenea and Cestoda. Further, we observed the positive correlation between SSI and both RB and PH. The results indicated the potential associations between fish immunocompetence and parasitism. |
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