Effect of seawater temperature on leucocyte populations in Atlantic salmon post-smolts

Using monoclonal antibodies (mAb) and flow cytometry, the distribution of immunoglobulin positive (Ig+) cells and neutrophils in isolated peripheral blood leucocytes (PBL) and head kidney leucocytes (HKL) from Atlantic salmon under-yearling out-of-season smolts was studied in the post-smolt period from 0 to 14 weeks after seawater transfer. A temperature acclimation was performed in freshwater, resulting in four groups maintained at a water temperature of 18, 14, 10 and 6 degrees C, respectively. The temperature for each group was kept constant for the remaining period and all groups were reared under a simulated natural photoperiod regime (60 degrees 25'N). Sampling of eight fish from each temperature group was performed at regular intervals from 0 to 14 weeks after seawater transfer, starting the day after transfer (week 0). The seawater temperature influenced the distribution of the leucocyte populations, and the effect was most prominent in PBL. The lower rearing temperature (6 degrees C) resulted in higher percentages of Ig+ cells in PBL compared to fish reared at the other temperatures. The high temperature (18 degrees C) resulted in higher proportions of neutrophils and lower proportions of Ig+ cells in PBL compared to fish from the other temperature groups. The observed differences were consistent throughout the 14-week experimental period. While the present study indicate that rearing water temperature influence the distribution of leucocytes in blood of Atlantic salmon post-smolts, the proportions of HKL populations do not seem to be dependent on temperature to the same extent. Comparing the temperature groups, no clear differences in the percentages of Ig+ cells and neutrophils in HKL were observed. Likewise, no evident time-related changes in the leucocyte profiles within each temperature group could be observed during the studied post-smolt period. Significantly, the results could indicate that the post-smolts reared at a temperature of 18 degrees C experienced thermal stress or a non-optimal environment.