Effects of sublethal concentrations of zinc and benzene on striped bass, Morone saxatilis (Walbaum), infected with larval Anisakis nematodes

Young of the year striped bass, Morone saxatilis , were exposed to sublethal concentrations of zinc and benzene and infected with larval Anisakis nematodes to determine the effects of these stressors on various physiological parameters. Results indicated that both pollutants and parasites significantly decreased haematocrit values. Parasites alone increased the liver somatic index, decreased haematocrits and, in the initial phase of the experiment, lowered antibody titres. Pollutants alone did not appear to significantly affect antibody titres, nor was there any difference in zinc and benzene uptake in the livers of infected and non-infected fish.