Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/10773/11231
Title: | Immunosuppression in the infaunal bivalve Scrobicularia plana environmentally exposed to mercury and association with its accumulation |
Author: | Ahmad, I. Coelho, J. P. Mohmood, I. Pacheco, M. Santos, M. A. Duarte, A. C. Pereira, E. |
Keywords: | Mercury Scrobicularia plana Immunomodulation Agglutination Oxidative burst activity |
Issue Date: | 2011 |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Abstract: | This study aimed to test the hypothesis whether mercury (Hg) activates or suppresses inappropriately the immunity of the bivalve Scrobicularia plana inhabiting a Hg contaminated area (Laranjo basin, Ria de Aveiro, Portugal). Immunity endpoints, as well as lipid peroxidation (LPO) as a sign of damage, were evaluated in parallel with total Hg burden. Bivalves from both moderately (MO) and highly (HI) contaminated sites displayed higher haemolymph Hg load and reduced plasma agglutination. Increased haemocytes density and decreased phagocytosis were observed at HI, whereas increased oxidative burst activity (OBA) was observed at MO, pointing out that the immunotoxicity is a result of Hg direct contact involving no ROS intervention. OBA observed at MO was concomitantly associated to peroxidative damage as depicted by LPO increase in haemocytes and haemolymph plasma. Thus, S. plana can be suggested as a suitable bioindicator of metal pollution in coastal areas on the basis of Hg bioaccumulation and immunotoxicity responses. |
Peer review: | yes |
URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/10773/11231 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2010.11.064 |
ISSN: | 0045-6535 |
Appears in Collections: | CESAM - Artigos DBio - Artigos DQ - Artigos Ria de Aveiro - Artigos |
Files in This Item:
File | Description | Size | Format | |
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Immunosuppression in the infaunal bivalve.pdf | 359.07 kB | Adobe PDF |
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