Fish health challenge after stress. Indicators of immunocompetence
- Autores: S. MacKenzie, Lluís Tort Bardolet, J. C. Balasch
- Localización: Contributions to Science, ISSN-e 1575-6343, Vol. 2, Nº. 4, 2004, págs. 443-454
- Idioma: inglés
- Enlaces
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Resumen
Changes in the nervous and endocrine systems of fish after stress episodes have consequences on their immune system and thereby affect the ability to maintain immunocompetence. Fish mainly depend upon innate immune responses, which include a rich and powerful array of mechanisms, that appear to be more potent than in higher vertebrates. Thus, fish provide a unique model to understand the evolution of immune defence system. When the organism is challenged by an antigen or by stressors, a number of responses of reactive nature are engaged in an attempt to counteract the threat and recover homeostasis. However, if the challenge is maintained, changes in the immune system become chronic, and suppression can be observed in several key immune mechanisms, leading to maladaptation. Therefore, the time factor is of key importance in immune assessment. Taking into account this dynamic pattern of infection and stress, specific indicators should be identified in order to detect functional changes in the immune system. Furthermore, there is a need for specific markers that reflect either activation in the initial stages or suppression in response to a chronic challenge.
