Study of the effect of methylmercury compound on the nonspecific immune response in experimentally infected carp

Abstract

Fish are frequently exposed to many pollutants in their aquatic environment, their nonspecific defence mechanisms and specific immune response may also become compromised by environmental contaminats such as methylmercury compounds. In our study we examined the influence of methylmercury compund on the nonspecific cellular and humoral immune response in experimentally infected carp (Cyprinus carpio). For the experiments, 240 healthy fish (80-100 g). were examined. Fish were exposed by bath to CH₃HgCl, 2h at concentration 0.15 mg Hg/l, and injected intraperitoneally with Pseudomonas alcaligenes and Aeromonas punctata. The immunological studies were made on 12, 24, 48 h and days 7,14, and 21 after injection of pathogen. The immunosuppressive effect of methylmercury on the nonspecific immune response was observed, and it was found to correlate with disease condition of the fish.