Effects of injection of DEHP on immunoglobulin M (IgM) and hematological parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Abstract

The effects of the plasticizer di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were evaluated on immunoglobulin M (IgM) and hematological parameters in male rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) for a 10-day experimental period. For this purpose, treatment fish were intraperitoneally injected with 50 mg/kg DEHP along with 500 µL carrier, i.e. olive oil and control one only with 500 µL carrier at 1 and 5 days of experiment after anesthetizing. Based on the results, no significant difference was found between DEHP and control groups regarding IgM levels (P>0.05). The results showed that erythrocyte count and white blood cells were significantly lower in fish exposed to DEHP compared to those of control fish (P0.05). In conclusion, our findings suggest adverse effects of DEHP on the immune system which may lead to an increase in disease susceptibility also verify that leukocyte counts can be considered as a novel biomarker of immunotoxicity.

Keywords

• trout
• dehp
• igm
• hematological indices