A trypanosome from the plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L.

The results of a 12 month study of Trypanosoma platessae Lebailly (1904), a haemoflagellate parasitising the plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L., are presented. The morphological features of the trypanosome are described, with experimental investigations of the host specificity of T, platessae . The flagellate occurred at low parasitaemias in wild plaice with a seasonal variation in the numbers of infected hosts, the percentage of parasitised fish reaching a maximum of 20 % in March and declining in the summer months.
Attempts to establish T. platessae in the laboratory, by means of passage of infected blood, gave inconsistent results. Elevated levels of β-globulins were detected in the sera of T. platessae infected plaice, and it is suggested that this may be associated with antibody secretion to the parasite.     

Studies on the skin of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.)

A histological, histochemical and ultrastructural examination of the skin of wild and cultured plaice was carried out, using fish from each year class from 0+ to 4+. The skin was shown to be similar in general structure to that of other teleosts but a previously undescribed cell, designated the Eosinophilic Granular Cell, a dendritic secretory cell found throughout the basal layers of the epidermis, is described. It was fixed only by formalin or dichromate, and contained numerous acidophilic granules. Melanin-bearing macrophages were observed migrating through the epithelium, but no DOPA or tyrosinase positive cells were observed by the methods used. Mast cells were very common in the dermis but were only demonstrable by special techniques. The melanophore and guano-phore systems are described and although no melanophores or melanocytes were found in the unpigmented areas of partially pigmented hatchery-reared fish, the integrity of the guanophore system was complete in such fish.     

Aspects of leucocyte migration in the plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L.

Histological studies on plaice tissues revealed mononuclear phagocytes emigrating through capillary endothelium in response to bloodborne foreign erythrocytes, with a >50% increase in circulating leucocytes within 2 h. Despite this rapid influx of leucocytes, cellular accumulation during peritoneal inflammatory responses was significantly slower than in mammals. In vitro studies with chemotaxis chambers revealed that random leucocyte migration was enhanced in the presence of endogenous chemostimulatory substances (inflammatory exudate fluid and endotoxin-activated plaice serum) although directional migration was not demonstrated. It is suggested that, compared with mammals, the slower accumulation of teleostean leucocytes at sites of injury is not due to a locomotory defect but possibly results from lower levels of endogenous chemoattractants being generated.     

Temperature-dependent development rates of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) eggs from the Irish Sea

Experimentally derived temperature-dependent development ratesfor planktonic fish eggs are required for developing IndividualBased Models (IBMs) of early life history stages and for estimatingdaily egg production in ichthyoplankton surveys. Developmentrates of Irish Sea plaice eggs were experimentally determinedfor temperatures between 4.5 and 12° C. Differences in developmentrates were apparent when these results were compared with literaturedata for eggs from North Sea parents. On average, plaice eggsfrom the Irish Sea developed more rapidly and hatched up to2 days earlier compared with North Sea eggs incubated at thesame temperature. In terms of parental effects, larger femalestended to produce larger eggs but egg size decreased over successivebatches from the same female within a year. Temperature-dependentegg development rates were influenced by egg size in a non-linearmanner for eggs incubated at 6° C, but egg size had no effectat higher temperatures. Since most plaice eggs sampled fromthe Irish Sea during ichthyoplankton surveys in 1995 and 2000were found in waters cooler than 8° C, such effects maymodify egg development rates in the wild.     

Seasonal changes in thyroidal status in the plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L.

A chemically specific analysis for plasma thyroid hormones has been used to disclose a seasonal bimodality in the concentrations of thyroxine (T₄) and triiodothyronine (T₃) in the plaice; maxima in both hormone levels occur in winter and in summer. The ratio of T₄ concentrations to T₃ varies seasonally being at a minimum in summer. A highly significant correlation of T₄ plasma levels with the landings per unit fishing effort for the same area has been observed.     

The ultrastructure of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) leucocytes

The leucocytes of plaice were examined and, at a morphological level, in addition to their response to the injection of carbon particles, they could be divided into four main types. Unlike previous reports, monocytes were seen. The neutrophil granules resembled the third granule type described in mammalian neutrophils. Monocytes and thrombocytes were the only cells to take up appreciable amounts of the carbon.     

A specific ringer solution for the plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.)

Following analysis of the serum of the blood of the plaice ( Pleuronectes platessa L.), a Ringer solution specific for this fish has been devised and tested. It has proved a satisfactory physiological saline for use in electrophysiological experiments and in the preparative procedures for electron microscopy.     

Monoaminergic nerves in the skin of plaice Pleuronectes platessa (L.)

1. The fluorescent histochemical technique of Falck and Hillarp was applied to plaice skin. The presence of monoaminergic nerve terminals, containing predominantly stores of adrenaline, forming a plexus in and around the melanophore layer was demonstrated. 2. Such stores were enriched by noradrenaline in the presence of monoamine oxidase inhibitor, unaffected by spinal section, depleted by spinal nerve section or ligatures and abolished by reserpine. 3. The observations support the view that teleost sympathetic melanophore aggregating nerves are truly adrenergic.     

Seasonal changes in serum lipid composition of the plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L.

Seasonal changes in the major lipid classes of plaice serum were examined in fish caught off the north-east coast of Scotland. Both male and female plaice were sampled monthly between June 1983 and May 1984. Total lipid, total cholesterol, free cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and non-esterified fatty acids were measured using commercial kits validated against standard reference methods. There were no significant differences in lipid levels between male and female fish and, although there were real differences between months for each lipid class, there was no regular pattern over the 12-month period. All the lipid class values, however, reached a maximum in September, which could be related to the increase in feeding after spawning. The smaller peak in February could be associated with the mobilization of lipid reserves for gonadal development and to overcome the effect of starvation during spawning.     

Metabolic and immunological effects of endotoxin in the plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L.

In an effort to identify factors contributing to the resistance of fish to endotoxin toxicity, the metabolic effects of an intraperitoneal injection of a Boivin preparation of E. coli lipopoly-saccharide (LPS) were studied in plaice over 4 days. Significant changes were found in serum concentrations of glucose, cortisol and non-esterified fatty acids but not in total or free cholesterol. The effect of injected LPS on the phagocytic capacity of kidney neutrophils was examined because of the possible use of LPS to promote non-specific immunity. There was no enhancement of the chemiluminescent response to the phagocytosis of unopsonized bacteria by neutrophils from plaice 24 h after LPS treatment.     

The immunohistochemical localization of lysozyme in plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) tissues

The location of lysozyme in fresh plaice ( Pleuronectes platessa L.) tissues was studied using an immunofluorescent technique. An antiserum to a homogeneous sample of plaice serum lysozyme was prepared in rabbits and was shown to be monospecific by immunodiffusion and inhibition studies. This preparation, used in conjunction with fluorescent labelled sheep anti-rabbit immunoglobulin, demonstrated lysozyme in plaice neutrophils, peritoneal macrophages, gill cartilage and epithelium, spleen, kidney, skin and mucus. The distribution of lysozyme in the skin and secreted mucus was affected by the method of killing the fish.     

Stress and water balance in the plaice Pleuronectes platessa

Summary Drinking and branchial water permeability have been measured in plaice, and the effect of handling stress on these and on water balance is reported. Stress markedly disturbs water balance, with a weight loss of 1.6% over 7 h, and a recovery period exceeding 19 h. Depression of the normal rate of ingestion accounts for about 14% of this imbalance. Stress-induced urination is not a significant factor. Branchial diffusional water permeability is more than trebled in response to handling, but a measure of accommodation is seen with repeated handling. The ratio of osmotic to diffusional branchial water permeability is about 2.5 and is not appreciably affected by stress. Oxgen uptake is enhanced in response to stress, and this is discussed in relation to the effects of stress on water balance.     

Movements of 0-group plaice Pleuronectes platessa L. as shown by latex tagging

0-group plaice were caught in Red Wharf Bay, Anglesey, North Wales, tagged with coloured liquid latex, and released in the bay or, after transplantation, at a position on a sandbank 3–5 km offshore. The pattern of movement shown by recaptures of plaice caught and released at the same position in the bay was one of extremely restricted movement of less than 0–5 km over several months, with only a slight interchange of fish between the sides of the bay and the centre. These restricted movements contrasted sharply with relatively long distances travelled by fish displaced to an unusual depth and position offshore and to a position at the other side of the bay 3 km away. In the first case a high proportion returned rapidly to the usual depth preference inshore and in the second a recapture pattern significantly different from that of control fish was demonstrated. Both results indicated a return to a preferred or familiar situation.     

Effect of opsonization on oxidative metabolism of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) neutrophils

The effect of serum opsonization on Vibrio alginolyticus (heat-killed)-stimulated chemiluminescence (CL) by plaice kidney- and peritoneal exudate-derived neutrophils was investigated. Peritoneal neutrophils only recognized heat-labile and kidney neutrophils only heat-stable opsonic activity in normal serum. Specific antibody did not show opsonic activity nor any synergism with the normal serum opsonins for either neutrophil population. Evidence was found for the production, by plaice neutrophils, of H2O2, O2-, OH. and two or more, as yet unidentified, reactive oxygen species (ROS).     

Leucocytes and related cells in the plaice Pleuronectes platessa

The leucocytes and related cells of the blood of plaice were examined morphologically and their various functions assessed using a number of procedures to identify phagocytosis histochemical reactions and antibody responses. Four morphologically different types of thrombocytes were identified in addition to lymphocytes, plasma cells, monocytes, macrophages and one type of granulocyte which histochemically resembled the mammalian neutrophil. The evolution and development of the cells was also investigated and the various stages described.     

Year-class strength regulation in plaice (Pleuronectes platessa L.) on the Swedish west coast

Year-class strength of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) has been studied over periods of 10 and 35 years, respectively, in two shallow sandy areas on the Swedish west coast. In one area, Gullmar Bay (N 58 ° 19 – W 11 ° 33), 0-group plaice were sampled quantitatively with a drop trap at 0–0.7 m depth and densities between 0.2 and 3.8 ind./m² were recorded in early summer. In the other area, Laholm Bay (N 56 ° 30 – W 12 ° 55), 0-group plaice were sampled semi-quantitatively in August with young-fish trawl at 1.5 m depths. Densities between 0.001 and 0.28 ind./m² were assessed.The effects of temperature and wind (in the winter and early spring) and predation (in early summer), on the recruitment of 0-group plaice were investigated. In Gullmar Bay high recruitment occurred after severe winters and in years when on-shore winds dominated during spring. No such correlations were found in Laholm Bay. In Gullmar Bay a significant inverse relationship was found between the density of O-group plaice in early summer and the biomass of brown shrimp (Crangon crangon) and the shore crab (Carcinus maenas), the main predators in the nursery area.The importance of physical and biological factors regulating recruitment in plaice are discussed.     

Precipitating activity in the sera of plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L. to a helminth antigen

An antigen abstract of Proleptus obtusus an intestinal nematode of the common dogfish has been shown to precipitate with a serum component of plaice. As the parasite has never been shown to infect plaice it is suggested that perhaps the serum component might be C–reactive protein (CRP). However, characterization of the component revealed that it was specific immunoglobulin analagous to antibody of the IgM class. It is suggested the helminth antigen involved is cross–reacting with a common antigen to which the plaice is normally exposed.     

Isolation and properties of sarcoplasmic reticulum from the fast muscles of plaice Pleuronectes platessa L.

This paper describes a method for the isolation of highly purified sarcoplasmic reticulum from plaice fast muscle. The interrelationships of pH, KCL, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, ADP and temperature have been investigated. Protein composition of plaice white muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum was found to be comparable to that described for rabbit fast muscle, with a major component of 100 000 daltons. Arrhenius plots of the Ca²⁺-AT Pase are linear over the range 0–30°C. Activation enthalpy (60±1.5 kJ/mol) was found to be independent of KCl concentration. The calcium concentration required to give half maximal activation of the AT Pase (K_Ca) was found to decrease with increasing temperature, from a maximum of 1.7 μm at 0°C to 0.55 at 20°C.