The effects of oil exposure on peripheral blood leukocytes and splenic melano-macrophage centers of Gulf of Mexico fishes

Abstract

In August and November 2010 we collected and examined peripheral blood and tissues from three species of Gulf of Mexico fish. Findings were compared to non-exposed control fish. The leukocyte counts of exposed alligator gar were not significantly different from controls, while exposed Gulf killifish and sea trout had significantly decreased lymphocyte counts. Liver ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) values from sea trout were significantly greater than control sea trout EROD values, suggesting poly aromatic hydrocarbon exposure. Splenic melano-macrophage centers (MMCs) from exposed sea trout and Gulf killifish showed a significant increase in number compared to non-exposed fish. Sea trout splenic MMCs were also significantly greater in size. These findings suggest that Gulf fish sampled were exposed to crude oil from the Macondo well and were in a lymphopenic or immuno-compromised state.

Low reproductive success rates of common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in the northern Gulf of Mexico following the Deepwater Horizon disaster (2010-2015)

“…Impairment of vertebrate immune systems is a commonly observed effect of PAH and general petroleum exposure, and increased susceptibility to infection has been documented in association with the DWH oil spill (Detmar & Jurisicova 2010, Whitehead et al 2012, Whitehead 2013, Ali et al 2014, VennWatson et al 2015a, S. De Guise et al 2017. Of course, numerous infectious agents and abnormal inflammatory responses can in turn cause reproductive failure and impair early development (Wilson et al 2015).…”

Environmental effects of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill: A review

“…Between oiled and un-oiled sites, there were no obvious changes in peripheral blood leukocytes and splenic melano-macrophage centers (SMCs) of alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula). In contrast, decreased lymphocyte counts and increased numbers of SMCs were evident in Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis) and sea trout (Cynoscion nebulosus), in parallel with CYP1A induction in the trout, suggesting a link to oil exposure (Ali et al, 2014). Although causal links between oil exposure and the prevalence of skin lesions could not be proven, neither could the null hypothesis of no relationship be accepted.…”

Alterações leucocitárias ocasionadas pelo estresse toxicológico agudo do óleo diesel em juvenis de tilápia-do-nilo

“…Pode-se inferir, neste estudo, que a sua redução está associada com o estresse ocasionado pelo óleo diesel, tendo em vista que o estresse prolongado pode provocar imunossupressão, debilitando o sistema imunológico dos organismos submetidos a xenobióticos (FUJIMOTO et al, 2012). Similaridade foi percebida por ALI et al (2014), que observaram redução no número de linfócitos do tecido sanguíneo de Fundulus grandis expostos ao petróleo.…”

“…Logo, o aumento dessa célula possivelmente dá-se com o intuito de agir como macrófago nos tecidos danificados, concordando com ALI et al (2014), que constataram aumento de monócito F. grandis.…”