Effects of injection of DEHP on immunoglobulin M (IgM) and hematological parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Aquatic Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

Abstract

The effects of the plasticizer di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were evaluated on immunoglobulin M (IgM) and hematological parameters in male rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) for a 10-day experimental period. For this purpose, treatment fish were intraperitoneally injected with 50 mg/kg DEHP along with 500 µL carrier, i.e. olive oil and control one only with 500 µL carrier at 1 and 5 days of experiment after anesthetizing. Based on the results, no significant difference was found between DEHP and control groups regarding IgM levels (P>0.05). The results showed that erythrocyte count and white blood cells were significantly lower in fish exposed to DEHP compared to those of control fish (P<0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in lymphocyte, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocyte, hematocrit, MCHC, MCH and MCV values between the DEHP treatment and control group (P>0.05). In conclusion, our findings suggest adverse effects of DEHP on the immune system which may lead to an increase in disease susceptibility also verify that leukocyte counts can be considered as a novel biomarker of immunotoxicity.

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