Effects of mercuric chloride on chemiluminescent response of phagocytes and tissue lysozyme activity in tilapia, Oreochromis aureus

Abstract

Phagocytosis, an important defense mechanism against foreign pathogenic organisms, can be monitored by measuring the chemiluminescence response of the phagocytes. Phagocytosis involves the action of lysozymes, one of the potent hydrolases which are involved in the destruction of pathogens. A combined oxidative and hydrolytic attack upon the engulfed pathogens allow phagocytes to kill infectious agents effectively. However, severe suppression or enhancement of these two functions caused by some exogenous factors may be detrimental to the host tissues. In this study the effects of such an inhibiting compound as mercuric chloride is investigated in tilapia (Oreochromis aureus) by measuring chemiluminescent response and lysozyme activity both as indications of phagocytic activity.