Effects of butyltin compounds on phagocytic activity of hemocytes from three marine bivalves

Effects of tributyltin (TBT), dibutyltin (DBT), and monobutyltin (MBT) on t he in vitro phagocytic activity of hemocytes from three marine bivalve spec ies, Mytilus edulis, Mya arenaria, and Mactromeris polynyma, were determine d using flow cytometry. Phagocytosis was reduced with increasing doses of T BT and DBT The toxicity of butyltins on hemocytes decreased in the order DB T > TBT > MET, and comparison of the relative sensitivity of the three spec ies showed that blue mussels (M. edulis) were more tolerant of butyltin com pounds than both clam species. Toxicity mechanisms of butyltins are discuss ed and compared to those of other metals.