0000000000495383
AUTHOR
M. Celi
Characterization of haemolytic activity of coelomocytes of Holothuria tubulosa
Phylogenetic analysis recognizes echinoderms as a key group of deuterostomes, therefore the species in this group are useful for the study of the evolution of innate immunity responses. In addition, this marine invertebrate lives in coastal and estuarine waters that are directly exposed to potentially pathogenic microorganisms and stressful anthropogenic factors. Coelomocyte populations seem to be essential to immune-defence functions such as phagocytosis, ROI production, cytotoxicity, synthesis and release of antimicrobial substances including lectin, cytokine, C3-like expression, prophenoloxidase activity and capsule formation. Holothurians’ coelomocyte populations contain several coelomo…
Hemocyte types and some plasmatic properties of two edible crabs Cancer borealis and Cancer pagurus
Cancer pagurus and Cancer borealis and are edible crabs produced by economically relevant aquaculture. In this study the hemocytes and some plasmatic parameters of Cancer borealis and Cancer pagurus were examined. The cell features of the hemocytes were observed using light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Granulocytes, semigranulocytes and hyalinocytes were mainly identified on the basis of size, presence/absence and quantity of the cytoplasmic granules and the nucleus-to-citoplasma (N/C) ratio. SEM observations were useful for disclosing the surface features of these cells, and the same characteristics were found in both crab species. A smooth surface distinguishes elongated hyalin…
Effects of diclofenac on the gametes and embryonic development of Arbacia lixula
Diclofenac (DCF), a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), is among the main pollutants of aquatic environments. Nevertheless, even if several authors evaluated its effects on marine organisms, no work has ever analysed its impact on the sea urchin Arbacia lixula. The purpose of this study was to analyse, for the first time, the impact of DCF at different concentrations (50 mg/l, 5 mg/l, 0.5 mg/l, 0.05 mg/l) on A. lixula embryos and gametes to indicate possible safe minimum levels of release of this drug in marine environments. Our results showed significant concentration-dependent effects on embryonic development (decrease in the number of developed embryos and increase in the quant…