Date of Award
8-2020
Type
Thesis
Major
Master of Science
Degree Type
MS
Department
Biology
First Advisor
Harlan Hendricks
Second Advisor
Elizabeth Klar
Third Advisor
Michael Newbrey
Abstract
The immune response can serve as a key indicator of a fish’s overall health and the effect stressors have on the health of the fish. Anthropogenic factors can stress a fish’s immune system and inhibit immune responses. This study investigated the response of eosinophilic cells and macrophage aggregates to parasites in the livers, spleens, and gonads of Largemouth Bass, Micropterus salmoides. Largemouth Bass were sampled from three bodies of water in the Chattahoochee Valley of varying levels of urbanization. Histopathology of the aforementioned organs was conducted to observe both the parasite density and immune response. Eosinophilic cells were shown to be the most robust indicator of immune response based on parasite density. Bass from more urbanized areas were shown to have significantly lower immune response and significantly higher parasite density. The ovaries had the strongest immune response of all organs observed, and the livers showed the weakest response.
Recommended Citation
Stephenson, James D., "A Histopathological Review of Immune Response in Largemouth Bass to Parasitic Infections of Soft Tissues" (2020). Theses and Dissertations. 406.
https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/theses_dissertations/406
