Seasonal changes in functional parameters of the hemolymph of Mytilus galloprovincialis

Authors

  • C Ciacci DISUAN, Dipartimento di Scienze dell’Uomo, dell’Ambiente e della Natura, Urbino, Italy
  • R Fabbri Dipartimento di Biologia, Universita` di Genova, Italy
  • M Betti DISUAN, Dipartimento di Scienze dell’Uomo, dell’Ambiente e della Natura, Urbino, Italy
  • P Roch JRU Ecosystèmes Lagunaires, CNRS-Université de Montpellier 2-IFREMER, France
  • L Canesi Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Genova, Italy

Keywords:

Mytilus, hemocytes, lysosomal membrane stability, phagocytosis, lysozyme, immune parameters, seasonal variation

Abstract

In bivalves, many functional parameters show seasonal changes in relation to both abiotic (such
as temperature and salinity) and biotic factors (such as gonad maturation, food availability). Available
data indicate that also immune parameters can show seasonal fluctuations in the marine mussel
Mytilus spp.. In this work we report data on hemocyte lysosomal membrane stability (LMS) and
phagocytic activity, as well as on soluble lysozyme activity, in the hemolymph of mussels (Mytilus
galloprovincialis) collected over a 24 month period in the Adriatic Sea (2006-2007). The results
indicate that all the parameters measured show seasonal fluctuations over the year, with lysozyme
activity showing the largest changes. Lowest LMS values were observed in early winter and early
autumn, whereas maximal values of phagocytic activity were observed in winter and increasing serum
lysozyme activities were recorded in autumn. The observed seasonal fluctuations are discussed in
relation to both abiotic (temperature) and biotic (changes in endogenous modulators) factors.

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Published

2009-04-07

Issue

Vol. 6 No. 1 (2009)

Section

Short Communications