Study of total hemocyte count and total plasma protein in immune system of freshwater Crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus)

Abstract

In this study, hemocytes defence cells and total plasma protein had been studied in immune system of freshwater Crayfish Astacus leptodactylus. About one-hundered freshwater Crayfish (A.leptodactylus) with average weight of 25-40g were purchased from aras damreservours in west Azarbayjan province and transported to Iranian artemia research center of orumya province.(25 pieces of Crayfish were considered surplus for possible losses) Before experimernt the Crayfish were acclimated for two days in the laboratory and then disinfected by oxytetracycline antibiotic and finally, an equal number (15 pieces of Crayfish in each glass aquariums) transported to 5 glass aquariums. In order to study hemocyte and plasma total protein, the hemolymph samples were withdrawn from abdominal second segments of Crayfish in interval hours (0, 6, 12, 24, 48, 96, 144, 240 and 336). Result showed that the mean of hemocytes was 27-114 CFU ml-1 , and the highest and lowest value of hemocytes were 180 and 12 CFU ml-1 in 12 and 336 hours after experiment times, respectively. Also based on the results, the semigranular cells(SGC) and granular cells(GC) were approximately comprised about 58-65% and 28- 37%, respectively and hyaline cells(HC) about was 3-6%. Based on total plasma protein results, the mean of total plasma protein was 1-2 Gr dl-1 , and the highest and lowest value of total plasma protein were 2/8 and 0/5 Gr dl-1 in 12 and 336 hours after experiment times.