Premium
The ontogenetic development of the reticulo‐endothelial system in the rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri Richardson
Author(s) -
TATNER MARY F.,
MANNING MARGARET J.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of fish diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.819
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1365-2761
pISSN - 0140-7775
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2761.1985.tb01214.x
Subject(s) - rainbow trout , salmo , gill , spleen , biology , phagocytosis , ontogeny , immunocompetence , anatomy , connective tissue , zoology , fish <actinopterygii> , andrology , fishery , immunology , immune system , endocrinology , medicine , genetics
The phagocytosis of colloidal carbon in the adults and fry of Salmo gairdneri Richardson was investigated. Adult fish accumulated trapped carbon in the spleen, kidney and heart. Fry, as early as 4 days post‐hatch, had an efficient phagocytic system, the carbon being engulfed by free macrophages which accumulated in the connective tissue, under the skin, in the gut and in the gills. By 18 days post‐hatch, the situation was similar to that found in the adult. The trapping of carbon in the gills of young fry is discussed, and it is suggested that it acts as a special mechanism to protect the thymus from undesirable, and possible tolerigizing antigen exposure before immunocompetence is attained.