| Popis: |
A new technique to determine in vitro phagocytic function of fish macrophages has recently been developed in this laboratory. This assay involves the spectrophotometric measurement of congo red-stained yeast cells which have been phagocytized by macrophages. The assay is simple, rapid and reproducible. Furthermore, it is less subjective than previously described methods which employ microscopic examination of cells. Using this technique with toadfish (Opsanus tau) captured from the relatively nonpolluted York River. Virginia, phagocytosis of yeast cells was found to increase with time, reaching a maximum between 60 and 90 minutes (as determined by absorbance at 510nm). This technique holds promise as a biomarker of environmental contamination and will be used to compare macrophage activity in fish from polluted and nonpolluted rivers. |
