The effect of selected basic dyes on the blood cells,in particular,the basophils,of the Pacific oyster,Crassostrea gigas

It was determined by means of light and electron microscopy that the granular blood cells of Pacific oysters could absorb basic dyes from dye-coated plastic beads injected into the mantles of oysters; in doing so, the granular blood cells became altered morphologically and behaviorally. In addition, it was observed that oysters could absorb the basic dye, toluidine blue O, in low concentration from sea water. It was shown that the absorption of toluidine blue O caused a shift in the blood cell levels of oysters, and it was suggested that this shift was occasioned by the absorption of toluidine blue O by granulocytes.