Leukophilia during maturation of the leopard grouper Mycteroperca rosacea

Abstract

In spring, peripheral blood of mature-ripe female leopard groupers showed leukophilia after an increase of lymphocytes and thrombocytes, followed by a differential increase of monocytes and granulocytes. In mature-ripe males, granulophilia and thrombophilia were evident. Leukocytes were distinguishable in some ovarian blood vessels where post-ovulatory follicles were present. These observations suggest coordination of endocrine-immune activity, where, after one spawning event, leukocytes infiltrate the gonad tissue from the peripheral blood to aid with immune surveillance and phagocyte activity, while a feedback of sex steroids and vitellogenesis occurs in preparation for the next spawning. An abundance of leukocytes may also aid in gonad reabsorption during post-spawning. Leukophilia coincided with high plasma concentrations of oestradiol and testosterone, which together with leukocytes, decreased greatly in immature-active groupers in summer. Blood cell counts, erythroblasts, and haematocrit of mature-ripe groupers in spring were significantly lower than immature-active groupers in summer, suggesting mild anorexia induced by reproductive behaviour.

Keywords:

• Grouper
• I
• Mycteroperca
• oestradiol

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Acknowledgements

We thank CIBNOR technicians María de Jesús Romero, Enrique Calvillo, Jorge Angulo, Gilberto Colado, Adriana Landa and Jorge Sandoval. Ira Fogel of CIBNOR provided editorial assistance. This study was supported by Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste and Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACYT grant 84163). MBA was the recipient of a doctoral fellowship from CONACYT.

Notes

Published in collaboration with the University of Bergen and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway, and the Marine Biological Laboratory, University of Copenhagen, Denmark