EFFECTS OF IN-VITRO ADDITION OF EXOGENOUS VITAMIN-C AND VITAMIN-E ON GILTHEAD SEABREAM (SPARUS-AURATA L.) PHAGOCYTES

The phagocytic cell function is an important factor of resistance to i nfection in fish, Although it is known that several nutritional factor s affect phagocyte function and that vitamins C and E modulate the ver tebrate immune system, there are no data on the direct effect of these vitamins or on their possible synergistic effects on the fish phagocy te functions. We report the in vitro effect of vitamin C and/or E on t he functions and ultrastructure of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L. ) head-kidney phagocytic leukocytes. Head-kidney leukocytes were incub ated with different concentrations of vitamins C and/or E for 48 h and then their migration, respiratory burst, phagocytosis and ultrastruct ure were studied. Leukocyte migration and phagocytosis increased when vitamin C or E were added, while the respiratory burst was synergistic ally enhanced when both vitamins were used together. Noticeable ultras tructural changes not previously reported were induced by these vitami ns in gilthead seabream phagocytes (acidophilic granulocytes and macro phages). These results indicated that vitamins C and E added in vitro modulate the main functions of gilthead seabream phagocytes and induce d ultrastructural changes characteristic of cell activation on such ce lls. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.