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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #315681
Title: Innate immune responses of immune proteins in juvenile channel catfish

Author
item RAGHU, DEEPTHI - University Of Memphis
item OURTH, DONALD - University Of Memphis
item Peterson, Brian

Submitted to: American Society for Microbiology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/1/2015
Publication Date: 5/30/2015
Citation: Raghu, D., Ourth, D.D., Peterson, B.C. 2015. Innate immune responses of immune proteins in juvenile channel catfish. American Society for Microbiology. P. 13.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) are raised for aquaculture in the Southeast U.S. and are susceptible to many bacterial and viral infections acquired from their pond environment. The innate immune proteins mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and lysozyme were studied during two consecutive years in channel catfish 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 months old. Both groups were maintained in indoor tanks in a light/dark photoperiod at mean temp. of 27 0C. Dot-blot enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for MBL and turbidometry lysozyme assay were done to quantify the two innate immune proteins. The innate proteins were quantified for two consecutive years and means determined. An increase in mean MBL was seen in 4 month old catfish (26.9 ± 0.8 µg/ml) when compared with all the other age groups. A decrease in mean MBL was seen in 6 and 9 month old catfish when compared with all other age groups. Both the 2 month (21 ± 1.4 µg/ml) and 12 month old (19.9 ± 0.4 µg/ml) catfish were very similar in mean MBL concentrations. The greatest increase in mean lysozyme was seen at 4 months (15 ± 5.0 µg/ml). Juvenile channel catfish could produce lysozyme at 2 months equivalent to the lysozyme concentrations found in 9 and 12 month old catfish. The greatest increases for both MBL and lysozyme were seen in 4 month old catfish. These results showed that juvenile channel catfish are competent in producing MBL and lysozyme at 2 months of age. Total protein and albumin/globulin ratios were determined for overall fish health. A mean total protein of 26.7 mg/ml and a mean albumin/globulin ratio of 0.7 were determined for the two groups of channel catfish sera that indicated the good health status of the catfish. This study provided a foundation for understanding these innate immune proteins in the early innate immune response of juvenile channel catfish.